Pride's Season Ends on Shaw's 97th-Minute Free Kick

Pride's Season Ends on Shaw's 97th-Minute Free Kick

By Mario Casamalhuapa, Osceola Gazette and News

ORLANDO – Orlando Pride's championship defense ended Sunday night when Jaedyn Shaw scored from a free kick in the 97th minute, giving NJ/NY Gotham FC a 1-0 victory in the NWSL semifinals at Inter&Co Stadium.

The decisive moment came in the 95th minute when Jacqueline Ovalle committed a foul on Rose Lavelle near the penalty area. Shaw stepped up and struck the free kick perfectly into the bottom right corner for Gotham's only shot on target in the entire match.

Orlando dominated the statistical categories throughout the contest. Pride outshot Gotham 11-5 overall and held a 2-1 advantage in shots on goal. Both teams recorded four corners each, while Pride committed 12 fouls to Gotham's nine. The possession numbers slightly favored Gotham at 52.5 percent, but Orlando created the more dangerous scoring opportunities.

Ovalle, Orlando's $1.5 million world-record signing from Tigres UANL in August, tested Gotham goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger early in the 5th minute with a point-blank shot that required a strong save. Marta provided the assist on that opportunity, setting the tone for Pride's offensive pressure.

Coach Seb Hines deployed Marta at striker in an unconventional tactical setup, using the 39-year-old Brazilian legend as an extra midfielder to exploit space behind Gotham's aggressive defenders. The approach generated multiple scoring chances but ultimately failed to produce a goal.

Playing without Barbra Banda, the 2024 championship MVP who suffered a season-ending hip injury in August, Pride relied on Ovalle and Marta to carry the offensive load. Ovalle attempted multiple shots throughout the match, including efforts in the 33rd and 64th minutes that failed to find the target.

The physical nature of the match became evident early. Gotham's Emily Sonnett received a yellow card in the 35th minute for a foul on Marta. Bruninha followed with a booking in the 40th minute for a challenge on Julie Doyle. Orlando's Emily Sams picked up Pride's only yellow card in the 80th minute for a foul on Shaw.

Injuries impacted both lineups. Pride replaced the injured Doyle with Simone Charley in the 54th minute. Gotham countered by substituting Mandy Freeman for Bruninha in the 53rd minute, then brought on Josefine Hasbo for the injured Gabi Portilho in the 63rd minute.

Pride goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse and Berger both delivered strong performances to keep the match scoreless through regulation. Moorhouse faced fewer challenging opportunities given Pride's defensive structure, while Berger made critical saves to deny Orlando's attacking pressure.

The match appeared destined for extra time as stoppage time began. Both teams showed visible fatigue after 90 minutes of intense semifinal action. Then Ovalle's foul gave Gotham the set piece opportunity that decided the match.

After Shaw's goal, Pride mounted one final attack. In the 100th minute, Oihane Hernández connected with Marta's cross, directing a header toward goal that forced a spectacular save from Berger. The rebound fell harmlessly away and Berger was slow to rise after the diving stop. Moments later, the referee's whistle ended the match.

The defending champions' season concluded with the statistical advantage but without the result. Pride controlled play for extended stretches and created better scoring opportunities, but Gotham's lone moment of quality proved decisive. Shaw's free kick was clinical, Gotham's defense was resolute, and one set piece in the 97th minute sent the 2023 champions back to the NWSL final.