The defending champs got the season off to a strong start with a six-goal win — tying the largest margin of victory in NWSL history.

Haley McCutcheon scored in the opening seven minutes, and the Pride went full throttle from there. Barbra Banda finished with two goals, Ally Watt and Julie Doyle were also on the scoresheet as Orlando stamped a 6-0 victory against the Chicago Stars at Inter&Co Stadium.

With a dramatic turnaround last year, the league champions are now among the teams to beat as the 2025 National Women’s Soccer League season opens. They begin defense of that title Friday night, when they will play host to the Chicago Stars (formerly the Red Stars after offseason rebranding) at 8 p.