NWSL: PREVIEW - Orlando Pride Hosts Expansion Side Denver Summit FC in Friday Night Clash

Staff Writer
1 day ago
2 min read

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ORLANDO, Fla. — Professional soccer returns to Inter&Co Stadium tonight as the Orlando Pride (0-1-0) prepare to host NWSL expansion side Denver Summit FC (0-1-0). Both clubs are hungry for their first points of the 2026 campaign after suffering narrow 2-1 defeats during opening weekend.

The match features a fascinating statistical backdrop: since the start of the 2018 season, the Orlando Pride have been nearly untouchable against expansion teams, losing only once in their last 17 such meetings (10 wins, 6 draws). Head Coach Seb Hines is looking to maintain that dominance while correcting the result from last week's rainy loss to Seattle.

"We were really disappointed with the result [against Seattle], but not the performance," Hines said. "I think [Denver Summit] will want to come here and get off on the front foot... It will be two teams who will be going out to get three points."

Banda Chasing History

All eyes will be on Pride striker Barbra Banda, who continues to cement her legacy in Orlando. Banda found the back of the net in the season opener, marking her 22nd career NWSL regular-season goal. She now sits just one goal behind club icon Alex Morgan for second place on the Pride’s all-time regular-season scoring list.

The Pride are also leaning heavily into their youth movement. Last week, three players made their professional debuts: Seven Castain earned the start and played a full 90 minutes, while Reagan Raabe and Solai Washington made their first appearances as second-half substitutes.

Summit Seeking First Points

Denver Summit FC arrives in Florida following a hard-fought debut against Bay FC. Despite a goal from Melissa Kössler, the expansion side was unable to overcome a late Bay FC surge. Denver will be looking to stabilize their defense tonight against an Orlando attack that generated 23 shots in their opener.

The Summit will also be buoyed by the recent news of their high-profile signing, Japanese international Yuzuki Yamamoto, though the forward is not expected to feature tonight as she concludes Asian Cup duties.

How to Tune In

Fans can catch the action live on Victory+, the primary broadcast home for the Pride this season.

Date & Time: Friday, March 20, 8:00 p.m. ET
Venue: Inter&Co Stadium (Orlando, FL)
Broadcast: Victory+

Following tonight's match, the Pride will quickly turn their attention to a midweek road fixture against Chicago Stars FC on Wednesday, March 25. For Denver, tonight represents a chance to spoil Orlando’s home opener and record the first points in franchise history.

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