Angel City FC faces tough road test against Orlando Pride

Angel City looks to continue its perfect start to the season against the 2024 NWSL champions and Supporter's Shield winners.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 9:55pm

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A cubist-style painting depicting the dynamic action of a women's soccer match, with players and the ball fragmented into overlapping geometric shapes in a vibrant color palette.Angel City FC's high-octane attack faces a stern test against the defensive might of the Orlando Pride in a pivotal early-season clash.Today in Orlando

Angel City Football Club, the only remaining unbeaten team in the NWSL after the first month of the season, faces a tough road test against the Orlando Pride on Friday night. The Pride, the 2024 NWSL champions and Supporter's Shield winners, have always been a challenge for Angel City, with five of their eight meetings featuring a tying or winning goal scored in the 85th minute or later. Angel City coach Alex Straus knows his team will need to be at its best to take on this formidable opponent.

Why it matters

This matchup between two of the NWSL's top teams will be a crucial early-season test for Angel City as they look to build on their perfect 3-0-0 start to the 2026 campaign. A win against the Pride would further cement Angel City's status as a title contender, while a loss could raise questions about their ability to compete with the league's elite teams.

The details

Angel City had a perfect 3-0-0 record in March, with wins over the Chicago Stars, Bay FC and Houston Dash. In the first meeting between Angel City and Orlando last season, Angel City took a 2-0 lead into halftime, but the Pride rallied with goals in the 71st and 76th minutes and then the winner on an Angel City own goal. When the teams met at BMO Stadium last August, an 86th-minute goal by Angel City's Gisele Thompson proved to be the winner.

  • Friday's game is the final match for Angel City before the long April international break.
  • In the first meeting last season, Angel City took a 2-0 lead into halftime, but Orlando rallied with goals in the 71st and 76th minutes and then the winner on an Angel City own goal.
  • When the teams met at BMO Stadium last August, an 86th-minute goal by Angel City's Gisele Thompson proved to be the winner.

The players

Alex Straus

The head coach of Angel City FC.

Angelina Anderson

The goalkeeper for Angel City FC.

Barbara Banda

A forward for the Orlando Pride who has scored three of the team's five goals this season.

Gisele Thompson

A midfielder for Angel City FC who scored the winning goal in the team's 86th-minute victory over the Pride last August.

Sveindís Jónsdóttir

The Angel City FC player who was named the NWSL Player of the Month for March after scoring three goals and adding two assists.

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What they’re saying

“They are dangerous through 95 minutes and can hurt you at any time.”

— Alex Straus, Angel City FC head coach

“In this league and against this level of opponent, the games can switch up so quickly. It's so important to gain momentum and keep momentum or if you don't have momentum, how do you get it?”

— Angelina Anderson, Angel City FC goalkeeper

“They've been successful for the last years and I think if they didn't lose Banda for that big part of last season, they would probably be in and around at the end of last season, as well. They have some really important individuals. They're a really, really tough team and a tough test for us. We need to be at our best, but if we are at our best, I think we can challenge them.”

— Alex Straus, Angel City FC head coach

What’s next

Friday's game is the final match for Angel City FC before the long April international break. Several Angel City players will be joining their respective national teams during the break, including Gisele Thompson and Emily Sams with the USWNT, Evelyn Shores and Riley Tiernan with the U.S. U-23s, and Kennedy Fuller with the U.S. U-20s.

The takeaway

This matchup between the unbeaten Angel City FC and the perennial NWSL title contender Orlando Pride will be a true test of Angel City's credentials as an emerging power in the league. A win would solidify their status, while a loss could raise questions about their ability to compete with the best teams in the NWSL.