1. Back to winning ways for the Orlando Pride! On the tailend of their two-week-long road trip, the Pride went into Snapdragon Stadium and took down the San Diego Wave in a massive win for Orlando.
2. This was a tough, physical game from both sides all throughout the 90 minutes. The Pride, having been on the road since May 9, had been in San Diego since their match against Denver last week. It was always going to be a tough ask for the team, but they dug deep and saw out a gritty match.
3. Pride Head Coach Seb Hines added that the week leading into the game was crucial to the team. Being able to spend the week together, have tough conversations following the games against Boston and Denver, helped re-build the chemistry within the team and get them back to playing "Orlando Pride football."
4. It looked like the match would go into halftime with a stalemate, but Orlando was able to find their goal from an unlikely source. After a terrific long ball from Luana got in behind the defense, a touch by Wave defender Kristen McNabb fell kindly to Nicole Payne, who took a touch and struck the ball across the face of goal, beating goalkeeper Didi Haračić and getting the Pride on the board.
5. It was a special goal for Payne, with it being in her very first start for the Pride, with the goal itself being her first as a pro. In fact, it was her first goal since she played in college, 120 miles north of San Diego at USC. In a very serendipitous way, it was almost fate that Payne would get her first in the same state she scored her last.
6. The second half came, and Orlando was forced into a defensive shape to try and control the lead. Throughout the final 45 minutes, the Pride weathered the storm, with Anna Moorhouse making a few key saves down the stretch, including a fingertip save in the 87th minute. It was the style of defense that this Pride team has been known for the past few years.
7. Haley McCutcheon continues to be a massive part of this team this year. In her 100th appearance for the Pride across all competitions, she led the team in passes in the attacking third, completed 31 passes (second most on the team), created two chances in the attack, won four tackles, and made three blocks. After the match, she talked about leading the team by example, as acting captain in Marta's absense, and how she has really grown into the role this year. Her play over 2026 on both sides of the ball certainly shows that growth coming to fruition.
8. Orlando faced a flurry of final pushes from the Wave as they held on to the win. Not only is Orlando leaving California with the win, but also a clean sheet on the road. Since the Pride and Wave have started playing each other, Orlando has never lost in San Diego, and that streak continues tonight.
9. The Pride will finally head back to Orlando, where they'll take on Bay FC in their final match before a month-long break. The game is set for Friday night, with kickoff set for 7:00 p.m. ET on NWSL+.
