Orlando Pride are having a magical year in the NWSL, topping the league table and remaining undefeated in 2024. But with the arrival of the NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup, all that stability could be put to the test. The Pride will face the North Carolina Courage at WakeMed Soccer Park in a game that promises to be a real litmus test. This will be the second time these teams have met at home this season; the last match ended in a draw, where the Courage's defense was put to the test with 21 shots and 5 on goal.
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This duel is not only a clash between two strong teams, but also a stage for some of the league's most exciting players. Courage midfielder Ashley Sanchez and Pride striker Ally Watt are stars who have been shining brightly. Sanchez, with her ability to create play and control the midfield, and Watt, with her speed and precision in attack, are key players who will certainly influence the outcome of this match.
The Pride already had the upper hand in the first meeting between the teams this year, winning 4-1, with two goals from Barbra Banda, as well as strikes from Ally Watt and Julie Doyle. In the second meeting, the game ended in a goalless draw at WakeMed Soccer Park. The draw marked the first time this season that the Courage had dropped points at home, which goes to show how hard-fought and unpredictable these matches can be. For the Pride, the challenge now is to maintain their unbeaten run despite the absence of several players called up for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
The Pride are without no fewer than eight players due to international commitments, including Brazilian stars Adriana, Rafaelle, Angelina and captain Marta, as well as Zambians Grace Chanda and Barbra Banda. Defender Emily Sams, initially called up to the USA squad, has been added as an alternative for the Olympics due to injury. Goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse also returns from her first call-up to the England squad, after taking part in qualification for the Women's European Championship 2025.
Despite these absences, Orlando Pride have reason to be confident. Their recent victory over Kansas City Current, who were also unbeaten, shows the resilience and depth of their squad. In this match, despite being down a player due to Carrie Lawrence's dismissal, the Pride managed to hold on, with Anna Moorhouse's saves standing out, as she equaled her season record with seven saves.
In addition, the Pride signed four new players before the Summer Cup. Cori Dyke, Viviana Villacorta, Summer Yates and Ally Watt renewed their contracts until 2025, with an option for 2026. Dyke, in her debut season, has already made 11 appearances. Villacorta is recovering from an injury that ended her previous season, while Yates scored four goals in 2024, making her the team's third top scorer. Watt, with 15 appearances and two goals, is another vital cog in the team.
The Summer Cup is a historic milestone, bringing together 14 teams from the NWSL and six from the LIGA MX Femenil in a 33-match tournament. Group E, which includes Orlando Pride and North Carolina Courage, promises to be one of the most competitive. The Olympic absentees balance the forces, making each game unpredictable. For the Courage, the situation is no different. Players like Casey Murphy (USA), Kerolin Nicoli (Brazil), Sydney Collins (Canada), Feli Rauch (Germany) and Cortnee Vine (Australia) will also be absent, competing in Paris.
The Courage come into the Olympic break in good form, with a run of three straight wins and points in their last four games, including a scoreless draw against the Pride. With a record of 8-7-1 on the season, they show that they can be tough opponents, even without their key players.
So what can we expect from this match? An intense battle, no doubt about it. The Pride are looking to maintain their unbeaten run and prove that they can overcome adversity, while the Courage want to seize the opportunity to break that streak and consolidate their momentum. With so much talent on the pitch and so many stories of overcoming, this match promises to be a spectacle not to be missed. Get ready, because the Summer Cup has only just begun and emotions are already running high. Who will come out on top? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: women's soccer has never been so vibrant and competitive.