When they last faced each other, the Washington Spirit came from behind to beat Orlando Pride in the 2025 Challenge Cup — after losing three big matches to the Pride in 2024. The next contest in this budding rivalry is tonight in Orlando, but will Washington’s lengthy injuries list prevent a repeat win?

Reigning champions, the Orlando Pride (4W-0D-0L) came into the season looking like a complete package and haven’t dropped a single point since. In addition to their flashy attackers like Barbra Banda, Marta, and Ally Watt, the Pride quietly have one of the best defenses in the league, allowing just one goal in their first four matches.

It’s clear that injuries will once again have an impact on this game for Washington Spirit (3W-0D-1L), whose list of 12 unavailable and questionable players includes Trinity Rodman, Casey Krueger, and Leicy Santos. They will have to rely on the returning Rosemunde Kouassi and the newly-acquired Gift Monday to give them some new looks in the attack, if they’re hoping to catch Orlando.

Spirit head coach Jonatan Giráldez said he wants his team to be “protagonists” in this game, having more control and creating more chances than they did in the Challenge Cup.

“For me it’s not just how do you attack well and create chances,” Giráldez said, “[It’s] how do you manage the rest defense situation? I think, you know, when you play against top strikers in the world, you need to manage very well your type of attack: how many players do you want to put into the box? How many players are resting defense to make sure they are not going to run after losing the ball?

“And we have to do a perfect game if we want to have chances to win, but I see big chances to win the game.”

Player: Makenna Morris

Whether she’s in the forward line or further back on the wing, Morris will be essential to moving the Spirit’s forward ball movement. In her first four matches, she’s made 10 progressive passes and five progressive carries and was particularly effective last weekend in ensuring that the Spirit controlled play along her side of the pitch.

Watch Out For: Barbra Banda, Marta

Barbra Banda’s goal-scoring prowess is well-known around the league by now. With three goals and one assist this season, the Spirit’s defense will be focused on the difficult task of keeping her contained. But they’ll have to be cautious: over-focusing on Banda could leave space for the Pride’s other attackers to move into, particularly Marta, who’s scored against the Spirit more than any other team in the league with 10 goals against them.

Challenges: Though the Spirit found it fairly easy to score two against Racing Louisville last week, they only created 0.7 expected goals. That won’t be good enough against Orlando. The Spirit need to improve the number and quality of their chances.

Previously: Washington beat Orlando in this year’s Challenge Cup on a penalty shoot-out but lost all three of their match-ups last year, including the NWSL Championship.

Orlando Pride Availability:

Out: Amanda Allen (SEI – shoulder), Simone Charley (SEI – ankle), Julie Doyle (knee), Luana (SEI – illness), Aryssa Mahrt (knee), Rafaelle (thigh), Summer Yates (ankle)

Questionable: None

Washington Spirit Availability:

Out: Croix Bethune (hip), Emma Gaines-Ramos (SEI – knee), Hal Hershfelt (ankle), Lyza Jessee (SEI – wrist), Casey Krueger (knee), Paige Metayer (D45 – knee), Brittany Ratcliffe (lower leg), Trinity Rodman (back), Ouleye Sarr (SEI – back), Andi Sullivan (SEI – knee), Kate Wiesner (hip)

Questionable: Leicy Santos (ankle)

Location: Inter&Co Stadium, Orlando, FL
Kickoff time: 5 p.m. ET
Referee: Elton Garcia
Available TV: Ion