Exploria Stadium prepares for a clash of NWSL identities as Orlando Pride W host Chicago Stars W on July 25, 2026. This matchup pits the league’s newest dynasty against one of its most enduring foundations, creating a compelling narrative for Round 14.

Orlando Pride arrive as reigning NWSL champions, a title they secured in dominant fashion during the 2024 season. Their victory over Washington Spirit in the Championship final at CPKC Stadium, clinched by a lone goal, was the crowning achievement of a year that also saw them lift the NWSL Shield. That 2024 triumph marked the first major trophy in the club’s history, validating years of strategic investment and firmly establishing the Pride among the NWSL’s elite. Forward Barbra Banda, the Zambian international, proved a transformative force, earning Championship MVP honors for her pivotal contributions.

Across the pitch stand the Chicago Stars, a club steeped in the rich history of American women's professional soccer. Formerly the Chicago Red Stars, this organization traces its roots back to the WPS era in 2006, becoming an NWSL founding member in 2013. The Stars once boasted the league's longest active playoff streak, an unparalleled eight-year run from 2015 to 2022 that showcased remarkable consistency. The club reached the NWSL Championship final in 2019 and were Challenge Cup runners-up in 2020. A recent $60 million acquisition by a new ownership group has signaled a fresh era for the Chicago club, aiming to rekindle that legacy of deep playoff runs.

Historically, the Orlando Pride have held the upper hand in this particular fixture. In six previous meetings, the Pride have secured four victories against the Stars’ single win, with one match ending in a draw. This head-to-head record adds another layer to a contest featuring a team at the pinnacle of the league and a storied club eager to reclaim its place among the NWSL’s perennial contenders. The stage is set for a significant NWSL encounter between Orlando Pride and Chicago Stars.