With the 2022 Orlando Pride NWSL regular season schedule released, it’s time to dive in and see which matches stand out on the calendar. The Pride will get every team in the league once at home and once away this year, with NWSL sporting its first-ever completely balanced schedule.
Sunday, May 1 vs. NJ/NY Gotham FC
Orlando opens the season at Exploria Stadium against Gotham, who sport a couple very familiar faces for Pride fans–goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris and defender Ali Krieger who were both traded from Orlando to Gotham this offseason. The Pride will face Gotham twice in the NWSL Challenge Cup, but this will be the first league game against the Pride for Harris and Krieger in their new duds.
Friday, May 27 vs. Washington Spirit
The Pride get their first regular season shot at the defending champs when the Spirit come to town to kickstart Memorial Day weekend. Washington returns USWNT star Kelley O’Hara, who scored the championship-winning goal in extra time in last year’s final against Chicago, along with promising young talent Ashley Sanchez, an Amanda Cromwell-coached UCLA Bruin, and Trinity Rodman.Â
Sunday, August 7 vs. Angel City FC
One of two expansion teams joining NWSL this year, Los Angeles-based Angel City FC makes its Exploria Stadium debut in the heat of the summer. Sporting a cavalcade of celebrity investors, Angel City’s first competitive side features USWNT star Christen Press as well as four former members of the Pride: defender Ali Riley, midfielder Dani Weatherholt, forward Jasmyne Spencer and goalkeeper Brittany Isenhour (née Wilson).
Friday, September 9 vs. Portland Thorns FC
The Thorns were stunned by Chicago in last year’s semifinals, but Portland still claimed a double for the 2021 season, winning the Challenge Cup and the NWSL Shield. The Thorns will bring a host of top players to Orlando, including USWNT backline stalwart Becky Sauerbrunn, young forward Sophia Smith, and Canadian national team legend Christine Sinclair.
Sunday, September 25 vs. San Diego Wave FC
The Pride’s final regular season home game is a big one, with San Diego making its first trip to Orlando. Led by former USWNT and two-time World Cup-winning coach Jill Ellis, the Wave are fronted by former Orlando forward Alex Morgan and also count former Pride players Jodie Taylor, Emily van Egmond, and Taylor Kornieck among their ranks.
