The Orlando Pride returned to league play after the international break, but they had to do so without Barbra Banda due to travel restrictions. While the lack of Banda's attacking threat has crippled the team at times this season, Solai Washington stepped up and factored in both Pride goals in a 2-1 road win over the Houston Dash on Sunday afternoon. Washington drew a penalty that led to Luana's spot kick goal and later scored her first professional goal. While she was clearly the Pride's best attacker on the day (and, spoiler alert, our Player of the Match selection), she could have had three or four goals with the opportunities she created.

We look back on a dominant first half that led to a road win for Orlando, checked on our score predictions from last week, and name Washington our Player of the Match.

This week's mailbagbox asked us about Pride goalkeeper options, Kerry Abello, Washington's development, and more. Remember, you can ask us anything by hitting us up on Twitter at either @TheManeLand or @SkoPurpSoccer and using the hashtag #AskSkoPurp. You can use that same hashtag and hit @TheManeLand.bsky.social up on Bluesky. Or you can visit our show page, scroll down, and fill out the handy form. We'd also appreciate any ratings or reviews you can leave wherever you get your podcasts, and if you do that on Apple Podcasts, we'll find them easily and read them on the show.

Finally, we look ahead to Sunday's afternoon home finale against NJ/NY Gotham FC. The Pride are officially playing out the string, but that doesn't mean players aren't trying to earn new contracts or that Yolanda Thomas doesn't want to win one last home match for the fans in 2026. We look back at the series history, check out where the teams are at this point in the season, provide our key matchups, and try our hand once again at score predictions.

Here’s how Episode 143 went down:

0:15 – The Pride completed their season sweep of the Houston Dash.

24:48 - Our mailbagbox is full of speculative questions.

36:36 - Gotham is looking to clinch the NWSL Shield on Orlando's grounds. The Pride must try to prevent that and try to play spoiler.

The Orlando Pride will return to action on Sunday in Houston, and aside from contracts, there isn't much left to play for. Even though there's a teeny, tiny statistical chance of making the postseason, it is ludicrously complicated and you'll have more luck with a lottery ticket.

We open the show with a discussion of the USWNT's 2-0 loss to Spain (this show was recorded prior to Tuesday night's 2-2 draw) and how some of the Pride players fared over the weekend in international action.

We then turn our attention to our weekly mailbagbox.

This week's mailbagbox asked us about goalkeeper superpowers, scheduling approaches, NWSL expansion, and more. Remember, you can ask us anything by hitting us up on Twitter at either @TheManeLand or @SkoPurpSoccer and using the hashtag #AskSkoPurp. You can use that same hashtag and hit @TheManeLand.bsky.social up on Bluesky. Or you can visit our show page, scroll down, and fill out the handy form. We'd also appreciate any ratings or reviews you can leave wherever you get your podcasts, and if you do that on Apple Podcasts, we'll find them easily and read them on the show.

Finally, we look ahead to Sunday's matinee match with the Houston Dash, and even though meteorologist Dave says the weather won't be super hot, it was a big gamble scheduling a game in Houston during midday. We look at the series history, check out how hot on Orlando's tail the Dash are, provide our key matchups, and try to predict the final score.

Here’s how Episode 142 went down:

0:15 – The USWNT, Pride players on national team duty, and our mailbagbox.

21:55 - The Pride head to Houston Sunday for a matinee match against the Dash.

The Orlando Pride left the pitch after their 2-1 home loss to the San Diego Wave technically still not eliminated in the NWSL playoff race, but with so many thing necessary to make it happen, it might as well be official. The Pride were hardly a threat to the San Diego goal most of Friday night, but they had some excellent chances in the first half that could have turned the game around had Solai Washington and Oihane done a little better with their opportunities.

Instead, a pair of horrible defensive mistakes gifted the visiting Wave a 2-0 lead that wasn't threatened, despite Barbra Banda doing her part to give Orlando a chance to get something from the game.

We discuss the likely dagger in Orlando's bid for a third consecutive postseason appearance, look back at our score predictions, and make our choices for Player of the Match.

This week's mailbagbox asked us about hype music, the possibility of Pride players repping the USWNT, and more. Remember, you can ask us anything by hitting us up on Twitter at either @TheManeLand or @SkoPurpSoccer and using the hashtag #AskSkoPurp. You can use that same hashtag and hit @TheManeLand.bsky.social up on Bluesky. Or you can visit our show page, scroll down, and fill out the handy form. We'd also appreciate any ratings or reviews you can leave wherever you get your podcasts, and if you do that on Apple Podcasts, we'll find them easily and read them on the show.

With no Pride match this weekend, that was just about it for the show, although we briefly discussed Orlando players on international duty, although I mistakenly referred to Angelina when I should have been saying Oihane. My bad. [/Raises hand in apology.]

Here’s how Episode 141 went down:

0:15 – The Pride couldn't finish their few chances or create more in a home loss to the Wave.

18:47- The mailbagbox is not in touch with the hype music that today's youth is into.

The Orlando Pride remained perfect on the road against Bay FC with a 3-1 win on Sunday. Deuces were wild, as Haley McCutcheon, who wears jersey No. 2, scored in the second minute of both halves, and her two goals in California gave the midfielder her second brace of both the 2026 NWSL season and her career. Barbra Banda figured heavily in pulling defenders out of position on two of the three Orlando goals and assisted on Jacquie Ovalle's right-footed thunderbolt in stoppage time to put the game away. But make no mistake, it's not as if the Pride played well, turning the ball over often and conceding 28 shot attempts to the hosts.

We break down a road win that may have been more exhausting to watch than to play in (although I wouldn't bet on it), check back on our score predictions, and make our selections for Player of the Match.

This week's mailbagbox asked us about Haley McCutcheon, where to most strongly place the blame for the Pride's disappointing season, and more. Remember, you can ask us anything by hitting us up on Twitter at either @TheManeLand or @SkoPurpSoccer and using the hashtag #AskSkoPurp. You can use that same hashtag and hit @TheManeLand.bsky.social up on Bluesky. Or you can visit our show page, scroll down, and fill out the handy form. We'd also appreciate any ratings or reviews you can leave wherever you get your podcasts, and if you do that on Apple Podcasts, we'll find them easily and read them on the show.

Finally, we looked ahead to Friday, when Orlando will host San Diego Wave FC, looking to both complete a season sweep and to keep its faint playoff hopes alive. We look at the series history, provide our key matchups for the contest, and make our predictions for the final score.

Here’s how Episode 140 went down:

0:15 – The Pride improved to 2-1-1 under Yolanda Thomas, but a lot of good Cosette Morche saves were required to get that second win.

20:00- The mailbagbox asks us to play the blame game.

33:36 - The Pride continue to face California-based competition, but Friday's opponent is much higher in the table than Sunday's was.

The Orlando Pride lost at home to the Portland Thorns. That may seem like an understatement and a lame way to open this post, and it is. The Pride weren't up to the task of taking on the Thorns Saturday afternoon, with a porous defense and a wasteful attack. Ally Lemos had a nice goal and that was just about all the positives for a Pride team that struggled to create chances for Barbra Banda.

We break down a home loss that all but sealed a season outside the playoff places for Orlando, check back to see what our predictions were, and make our picks for Player of the Match.

This week's mailbagbox asked how much of the back line needs to be replaced, why Yolanda Thomas made the lineup changes she did, and more. Remember, you can ask us anything by hitting us up on Twitter at either @TheManeLand or @SkoPurpSoccer and using the hashtag #AskSkoPurp. You can use that same hashtag and hit @TheManeLand.bsky.social up on Bluesky. Or you can visit our show page, scroll down, and fill out the handy form. We'd also appreciate any ratings or reviews you can leave wherever you get your podcasts, and if you do that on Apple Podcasts, we'll find them easily and read them on the show.

Finally, we looked forward to Sunday, when Orlando will head west to face Bay FC on the road. The Pride must get maximum points down the stretch and hope for help. The entirety of the 2026 season so far suggest that's not likely. We look at the series history and the two teams' relative positions in the table, provide our key matchups, and make our predictions for the final score.

Here’s how Episode 139 went down:

0:15 – The Pride's modest unbeaten run under Yolanda Thomas came crashing to a halt.

15:07- The mailbagbox wonders what in the world was that on Saturday.

34:37 - The Pride head to California to try to rebound against Bay FC.

For a good chunk of Friday night, it seemed as though the Orlando Pride would make it two wins in two matches under interim head coach Yolanda Thomas. Barbra Banda produced two moments of brilliance to stake Orlando to a 2-0 road lead. But the leaky Pride defense re-emerged, giving up two quick goals that indicated the hosts might come back to claim all three points. However, Orlando did just enough to get over the finish line, hold onto a point, and remain unbeaten in the Current's stadium.

We break down the road draw, check back to see what our predictions were, and make our picks for Player of the Match.

We also discussed Banda's new contract that will keep her in the City Beautiful through 2029. It's a big fish for Caitlin Carducci to land (and to build around), and it should be the first domino to fall in Orlando's rebuild as the club tries to return to competing for trophies.

This week's mailbagbox asked about the Pride's best back line, coaches, and more. Remember, you can ask us anything by hitting us up on Twitter at either @TheManeLand or @SkoPurpSoccer and using the hashtag #AskSkoPurp. You can use that same hashtag and hit @TheManeLand.bsky.social up on Bluesky. Or you can visit our show page, scroll down, and fill out the handy form. We'd also appreciate any ratings or reviews you can leave wherever you get your podcasts, and if you do that on Apple Podcasts, we'll find them easily and read them on the show.

Finally, we looked ahead to Saturday's showdown with the Portland Thorns. The Pride return home to face one of the league's bluebloods, and every point is precious with as much ground as Orlando has to make up to try to keep its playoff streak alive. We give you the series history, the tale of the tape, our key matchups, and our score predictions.

If you'd like to support our independent writing and podcasting efforts, we'd love to have you as a subscriber or donor over at our Buy Me a Coffee site.

Here’s how Episode 138 went down:

0:15 – It's a road point against a good team but the way it unfolded felt like more of a loss than a win when the Pride drew Kansas City. Plus, three more years of Bandamonium!

21:01- The mailbagbox asks about coaching search philosophies, and who else might lose their jobs around the NWSL.

31:59 - The Pride and Thorns prepare for battle on Saturday.

For one night (at least) the Orlando Pride resembled the 2024 team. The Pride played with energy, grit, and purpose in a 3-1 win over the visiting Houston Dash in a weather-delayed Sunday night tilt over Labor Day weekend, with interim head coach Yolanda Thomas getting a victory in her first match in charge. It was far from a perfect performance, but just playing with the spirit the team displayed on Sunday would keep this team in most games and give it a chance to win. Barbra Banda was a major factor in all three Orlando goals, forcing an own goal, scoring a penalty, and setting up Haley McCutcheon's impressive strike. Cosette Morche came up with a few huge saves on the other end to preserve the lead.

We break down the match as fully re-energized spectators and podcasters after seeing that performance, look back at our score predictions, and make our picks for Player of the Match.

This week's mailbagbox asked about coaches, points necessary for Thomas to get the full-time job offer, a women's U.S. Open Cup, and more. Remember, you can ask us anything by hitting us up on Twitter at either @TheManeLand or @SkoPurpSoccer and using the hashtag #AskSkoPurp. You can use that same hashtag and hit @TheManeLand.bsky.social up on Bluesky. Or you can visit our show page, scroll down, and fill out the handy form. We'd also appreciate any ratings or reviews you can leave wherever you get your podcasts, and if you do that on Apple Podcasts, we'll find them easily and read them on the show.

Finally, we looked ahead to Friday's visit to Kansas City as the Pride play the return fixture against the Current. Prior to Houston, the Current were the last team Orlando had scored multiple goals against. If the Pride can play with the fire they showed against the Dash, they could be a threat to be the first visiting team to win in CPKC Stadium in 2026.

If you'd like to support our independent writing and podcasting efforts, we'd love to have you as a subscriber or donor over at our Buy Me a Coffee site.

Here’s how Episode 137 went down:

0:15 – The Pride win their first game under Yolanda Thomas and play like they have something to prove, which...they do.

21:56 - The mailbagbox advises against putting any one person over the club.

43:52 - The second meeting with Kansas City is Friday, and the Pride will hope to play as well as they did in the first meeting.

The Pride parted ways with coach Seb Hines after losing their fourth match out of five. The Pride have been terrible since the restart after the World Cup break, but somehow beat the two best teams they played (Kansas City and Washington). There's no rhyme or reason, except perhaps the best teams bring out the best in what's left of the Pride's...err...pride.

We discuss Hines' departure with Yolanda Thomas taking over as interim manager and what that means, as well as whether the roster was overrated and finally caught up with him. Injuries in 2026 obviously didn't help things, and what comes next? We'll all find out together.

This week's mailbagbox asked about which players not named Banda will score five or more goals in a season at some point in the future, the future of Oihane and Luana, and more. Remember, you can ask us anything by hitting us up on Twitter at either @TheManeLand or @SkoPurpSoccer and using the hashtag #AskSkoPurp. You can use that same hashtag and hit @TheManeLand.bsky.social up on Bluesky. Or you can visit our show page, scroll down, and fill out the handy form. We'd also appreciate any ratings or reviews you can leave wherever you get your podcasts, and if you do that on Apple Podcasts, we'll find them easily and read them on the show.

Finally, we looked behind and ahead. We discussed the Pride's home loss to Utah on another night in which the team was badly outplayed. We checked our score predictions and made our selections for player of the match. We also looked ahead to Houston's visit on Sunday, checked out the series history, gave our key matchups (which are unchanged, because obviously), and provided our final score predictions.

If you'd like to support our independent writing and podcasting efforts, we'd love to have you as a subscriber or donor over at our Buy Me a Coffee site.

Here’s how Episode 136 went down:

0:15 – The Pride have parted ways with Seb Hines. Was the head coach doomed from the start of the 2026 season?

27:21 - The mailbagbox is always there for us in times of strife.

39:15 - A quick rewind of the Pride's loss to Utah and a look ahead to the Houston Dash.