Chicago Stars Orlando Pride: how to watch Friday's match
The Chicago Stars Orlando Pride matchup kicks off Friday at 8 p.m. ET at Inter.co Stadium in Orlando. Stream it exclusively on Victory+ with no traditional TV broadcast. Orlando (6-8-2) hosts Chicago (4-11-0) without leading scorer Barbra Banda, while the Stars are missing Jordyn Huitema after a season-ending ACL injury.
Key Takeaways
- Orlando Pride host Chicago Stars FC at 8 p.m. ET Friday at Inter.co Stadium; stream on Victory+ (no TV).
- The Pride (6-8-2, 20 points) sit one point outside the final NWSL playoff spot after back-to-back 1-0 losses.
- Barbra Banda is on international duty for Zambia's Women's Africa Cup of Nations; she has 12 of Orlando's 21 goals.
- Chicago (4-11-0, 12 points) is without Jordyn Huitema (ACL, season-ending) and several other injured players.
- Orlando beat Chicago 3-0 in March; coach Seb Hines says both sides are looking to get back on form.
How can you watch Chicago Stars vs Orlando Pride?
Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. at Inter.co Stadium in Orlando. According to The Mane Land, there is no traditional television broadcast; the match streams on Victory+.
This is the second and final regular-season meeting between the clubs. Follow live updates via the Pride's social channels or fan coverage if you are tracking the game remotely. For more entertainment and sports buzz roundups, see our Celebrity Breaking News hub.
Why does this Chicago Stars Orlando Pride clash matter?
Orlando returns home after two 1-0 losses and sits ninth with 20 points—one point shy of the final playoff place. Denver Summit and Bay FC, the teams directly behind the Pride, each have two games in hand, so Friday's points carry extra weight.
Chicago sits 15th in the 16-team league with only four wins and one away victory this season. The Stars have lost their last two matches 2-0 and have the league's worst goal difference at -22. Orlando already crushed Chicago 3-0 in March in Evanston.
"It's two teams that are looking to get back on form," Hines told the Orlando Sentinel. "(We're) looking to get back into our own environment, play in front of our own fans, and put on a performance that everyone's proud of."
Who is out, and what are the lineups?
Per the NWSL availability report, Orlando is without Hannah Anderson (lower leg), Kylie Nadaner (maternity leave), and Viviana Villacorta (knee), with Banda on international duty. Chicago is missing Ryan Connaughton, Emma Egizii, Bea Franklin, Huitema, Natalia Kuikka, Mallory Swanson, and Taylor Wood, plus Michelle Alozie on international duty.
Huitema led Chicago with four goals before tearing her ACL on July 18 against Angel City. Without Banda, Marta and Jacquie Ovalle are Orlando's primary attacking options; Ovalle had a goal and assist in the March win.
Pride starting XI (4-2-3-1): Anna Moorhouse; Kerry Abello, Zara Chavoshi, Cori Dyke, Ohiane; Haley McCutcheon, Ally Lemos; Jacquie Ovalle, Angelina, Marta; Solai Washington. Stars starting XI (4-1-4-1): Katie Atkinson; Nadia Gomes, Sam Staab, Aaliyah Farmer, Jenna Bike; Maitane Lopez; Tessa Dellarose, Brianna Pinto, Manaka Hayashi, Jameese Joseph; Ivonne Chacon.
Referee JC Griggs leads the crew, with Jamie Padilla on VAR. Both clubs need a bounce-back night—Orlando for playoff cushion, Chicago for any climb off the bottom of the table.