NWSL Match Preview: Orlando Pride (8-7-5) vs. North Carolina Courage (6-7-7)

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Orlando Pride logo

Kickoff: 8:00 PM ET
Venue: Inter&Co Stadium, Orlando, Florida (Capacity: ~25,500)
Broadcast: Prime Video / NWSL+

Weather Forecast (Orlando, FL)

Temperature: ~84°F (29°C) at kickoff, humid conditions

Conditions: Mostly clear skies, light winds (5–7 mph)

Impact: Humidity could test the Courage’s depth late in the match.

Injury Report

Orlando Pride:

Barbra Banda – Out for season (injury list, August).

Marta – Healthy; still a creative force in midfield.

Ally Watt – Healthy; scored in last league match.

Lizbeth Ovalle – Healthy; midseason acquisition providing attacking spark.

North Carolina Courage:

Marisa Jordan (GK) – Healthy; earned first NWSL win recently.

Manaka Matsukubo – Healthy; scored in last match.

Brianna Pinto – Healthy; also on the scoresheet vs. Angel City.

No major injuries reported.

Key Player Matchups

Marta (ORL) vs. Riley Jackson (NC)

Veteran vs. youth in midfield; Marta’s vision against Jackson’s energy.

Ally Watt (ORL) vs. Kaleigh Kurtz (NC)

Watt’s pace and direct runs against Kurtz’s defensive leadership.

Manaka Matsukubo (NC) vs. Orlando Midfield

Rising star with flair and scoring touch; Orlando must close her down.

Goalkeepers:

Anna Moorhouse (ORL) vs. Marisa Jordan (NC) – both capable of game-changing saves.

Recent Team Form

Orlando Pride (8-7-7, 29 pts)

Last 5: D–L–L–L–D

Winless in last 8 league matches.

Did win midweek in Concacaf W Champions Cup (5–0 vs. Chorrillo FC).

North Carolina Courage (6-7-7, 25 pts)

Last 5: W–D–L–D–D

Coming off a 2–1 win over Angel City.

Young midfield trio (Matsukubo, Koyama, Jackson) impressing.

Series History

All-time series: Courage lead 14–8–6.

Last meeting: June 2025 – 1–1 draw.

Orlando unbeaten in last 2 at home vs. NC.

Betting Trends

Orlando Pride:

0–3–2 in last 5 league matches.

Unders hit in 4 of last 5.

Struggling without Banda’s finishing.

North Carolina Courage:

1–1–3 in last 5 league matches.

Overs hit in 3 of last 5.

Stronger defensively on the road.

Historical Betting Results

Orlando: Covers more often at home; unders common in humid Orlando conditions.

NC Courage: Profitable ATS as a road underdog; overs frequent when midfield dominates possession.

Head-to-Head: Courage have historically had the upper hand, but Orlando has tightened the gap in recent years.

MATCH ODDS

Moneyline: Orlando +120 / NC Courage +220 / Draw +230

Orlando Pride + 120       Draw + 230         North Carolina Courage + 230

Over 2.5 – 135                   Under 2.5 – 115

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, September 18, 2025