Photo Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
The Orlando Pride defeated the Houston Stones 2-1 on Sunday, but it wasn’t enough to keep their slim playoff hopes alive for another weekend. Orlando’s 2026 National Women’s Soccer League playoff berth became a mathematical impossibility as the Seattle Reign cruised to a 3-1 win over the Chicago Stars.
Orlando was in a tough spot going into the weekend. They also could have been eliminated with five other individual results: a loss or tie, a Denver win (instead of a 3-2 loss to Angel City), or a North Carolina win or tie (instead of a 2-1 loss to San Diego).
The Pride drew the necessary conclusion on Houston despite the absence of star Zambian forward Barbra Banda, who was unable to return from international duty in Uganda due to Ebola travel restrictions. Orlando struck first in the 15th minute when Solai Washington won a penalty that was calmly converted by Luana. Newbie Washington doubled the lead with his first professional goal in the 31st minute off a pass from childhood icon Marta. But the win wasn’t enough as another result ended their play-off hopes.
Not being eligible for the postseason is a sharp turnaround from the 2024 season in which they won the NWSL Shield and Championship. Seb Hines, who doubled Orlando that year, was fired midseason and interim coach Yolanda Thomas has been in charge since then.
3-2-1 (WLD) record.
Despite their elimination, Orlando can still play spoiler and affect the playoff picture as their last two games are against NJ/NY Gotham FC and Seattle.
