Match Report: Orlando Pride Suffers a 1-0 Defeat to OL Reign

SEATTLE (Sept. 3,* 2023) –* Orlando Pride (7-10-1, 22 points) suffered a 1-0 defeat to OL Reign (8-7-3, 27 points) on Sunday night at Lumen Field. The Pride will have a two-week break before returning back home to Exploria Stadium to take on the North Carolina Courage. 

The match saw Pride’s starting goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse receive a red card in just the second minute of the match. Carly Nelson was then substituted on and made the most of her opportunity, making six saves on the night, the most she has made in a match this season. The Pride attack did everything they could despite being down a player, despite being down a player for nearly the fully match and holding the home side to just a single goal, but was unable to find the breakthrough on the road.

Scoring Summary:

49’ Jordyn Huitema – RGN 1, ORL 0 
The home side earned the breakthrough after a shot from Rose Lavelle was saved by Pride goalkeeper Carly Nelson, but the rebound fell to the feet of Jordyn Huitema who was able to get a shot off and into the back of the net.

Head Coach Seb Hines:

“I think everyone could see there was a real togetherness here today after going down a player so early on. You do all the preparation to win a game of football and then within two or three minutes you are down a player, so then you have to be adaptable, and you have to adjust. It really challenged our players defensively and, coming into an environment like this against some of the players of the opponent, is difficult but I am really proud of the players and how they coped with a lot of difficult moments and their real togetherness. Obviously disappointed with the result, but not too much on the performance.”

Match Notes:

• Goalkeeper Carly Nelson made six saves on the night, which is the most she has made in a match in the 2023 campaign and her professional career. 
• The Pride were reduced to 10 players after goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse received a red card in the second minute of play.  
• Head Coach Seb Hines made two changes to his starting XI, with midfielders Jordyn Listro and Mikayla Cluff both earning the start.

Next Match: The Pride will return home to Exploria Stadium to welcome the North Carolina Courage on Sunday, Sept. 17. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET with the match able to be seen locally on FOX35 PLUS and nationally streamed on Paramount+.