Orlando Pride's season comes to end with 1-0 loss at Seattle

Orlando Pride Close Out 2026 Season With 1-0 Defeat at Seattle Reign FC

The Orlando Pride wrapped up their 2026 regular season on Sunday afternoon with a 1-0 loss to Seattle Reign FC in front of 16,095 fans at Lumen Field. The result leaves Orlando with an 11-16-4 record and 37 points, bringing a challenging campaign to a close while Seattle secured a playoff spot on the final match day.

Heading to Seattle for our last match of 2026 ✈️ pic.twitter.com/Goku2NQXp8

— https://x.com/ORLPride/status/2116160695708622910

For a club that claimed the NWSL championship in 2024, the 11th-place finish marks a sharp descent. The rocky year included the dismissal of head coach Seb Hines on August 31, leaving interim head coach Yolanda Thomas to steer the team through the final stretch of fixtures.

What sticks with me is the resilience of the players to continue to show up every day, Thomas said in comments provided by the team, acknowledging that the squad fell short of internal and external expectations.

Defensive Battles and a Second-Half Breakthrough

Sunday’s match began as a tight tactical duel, with both sides neutralizing scoring threats in the attacking third throughout a scoreless opening 45 minutes. Orlando defender Oihane made a critical goal-line clearance in the 17th minute to deny Nerilia Mondésir’s header. Just before halftime, Pride goalkeeper Cosette Morché came up big with a close-range stop on a shot from Jess Fishlock.

Orlando Pride's season comes to end with 1-0 loss at Seattle — Photo: themaneland.com

The deadlock broke in the 68th minute. Following a corner kick, Seattle’s Jordan Bugg reacted fastest to a loose ball in the penalty box, slotting it home to put the hosts ahead for good.

As always, I am sad to lose, Oihane said after the final whistle. But I think the team did a great job. It’s going to be good for us to get into the offseason, reset and begin preparing for next season.

Milestones and the Road Ahead for the NWSL

Despite the difficult team outcome, several players reached notable career milestones during the campaign’s finale. Midfielder Angelina logged her 100th career NWSL regular-season appearance, and defender Kylie Nadaner reached the same milestone after stepping onto the pitch as a second-half substitute. Additionally, Oihane recorded her 50th appearance across all competitions for the Pride, while defender Cori Dyke earned the distinction of being the only Orlando player to start all 30 matches.

With league play now paused until February 2027, the Pride turn their attention toward a much-needed roster reset. Meanwhile, the NWSL postseason gets underway with the quarterfinals starting Friday, featuring matchups across San Diego Wave FC, Utah Royals FC, Kansas City Current, Angel City FC, Gotham FC, Seattle Reign FC, Washington Spirit, and Portland Thorns FC ahead of the November 21 championship match at Audi Field in Washington, D.C.