u/LionsPitch

The Courage head to Orlando looking to bounce back after a tough week. Drop your predictions below and LFG! 🦁

Match Info

• Friday, May 9, 2026
• Kickoff: 8:00 PM ET
• Location: Inter&Co Stadium, Orlando, FL
• Where to Watch: Prime Video

Current Standings

• NC Courage: 9th in the table
• Orlando Pride: 12th in the table

Series History

In 30 all-time matches since 2017, the Courage is 15-8-7. In our last meet-up, we beat Orlando 0-1 thanks to a lone Shinomi goal. Prior to that, the last time we beat Orlando was July 29, 2023 during the Challenge Cup where we put up 5-0 on them. The last regular-season win was just a few weeks before that, on June 17, 2023, where we walked away with a 3-0 win. (I am still traumatized from Banda entering the league and taking it out on us in 2024 -MP)

Availability Report

https://www.nwslsoccer.com/news/availability-report

NORTH CAROLINA COURAGE

• OUT: Maycee Bell (Knee), Payton Crawford (Knee - SEI), Natalie Jacobs (Ankle), Feli Rauch (Suspension), Olivia Wingate (Knee - SEI)
• QUESTIONABLE: None
• INTERNATIONAL DUTY: None

ORLANDO PRIDE

• OUT: Kerry Abello (Hip), Hannah Anderson (Illness), Zara Chavoshi (Lower Leg), Cosette Morche (Ankle - D45), Jacquie Ovalle (Thigh), Kylie Nadaner (Maternity Leave), Viviana Villacorta (Knee)
• QUESTIONABLE: None
• INTERNATIONAL DUTY: None

Crawford was placed on the SEI list this week. We still don't have any new updates on when Wingate will return. Feli was given a ridiculous two-game suspension for an accidental hand in a hair tangle (one, I get, two is harsh -MP). Jacobs and Bell are also still out. It's rough out there.

Referee Assignment

• REF: Lauren Aldrich
• AR1: Zeno Cho
• AR2: Seun Yinka-Kehinde
• 4TH: Elvis Osmanovic
• VAR: Anya Voigt
• AVAR: Kaili Terry

Things of Note

• Pregame Press Conference (Mak Lind & Hannah Betfort): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FONFe7u2ZWw
• Barbara Banda, Marta, and Summer Yates all capable of scoring. Containing their threats everywhere on the pitch will be key.
• The Courage have not given up a second half goal all season. Can they keep that run going, or did Katie jinx us by talking about it on the pod?
• With Bell, Jacobs, and Rauch all out, how are we feeling about the back line? It's rough out there.

Watch Parties

The Uproar is hosting two watch parties tonight:

• The Durham Beer Garden, Durham
• Trophy on Maywood, Raleigh

This pregame thread is brought to you by The Lion's Pitch Podcast, your home for NC Courage coverage. Episode 9 is out now at lionspitch.com or wherever you get your podcasts.

Two games, two slow starts, two goals down before we found our footing, resulting in one draw and one loss. We discuss all the goals against Boston and Kansas City, and we dig into the issue of consistency. Plus, a quick look ahead to Orlando on Friday.

Dani Weatherholt said it best in her postgame: "It's more of a mentality, a belief, a bravery on the ball that we need to continue to embed early in the game."

We also get into the striker conversation. Sanchez and Manaka are carrying the offense, but at some point, the others have to deliver. Who do you think needs to step up?

The pieces are there. The first half just has to catch up to the second.

Drop your thoughts below. What do you want to see from the Courage in Orlando on Friday?

Episode 9 is out now at lionspitch.com or wherever you get your podcasts.

One note: we recorded before the news broke that Peyton Crawford (formerly Linnehan) suffered an ACL tear and has been placed on SEI list. Wishing her a full and speedy recovery.