The Orlando Pride’s push toward making the 2018 NWSL playoffs took another major hit on Sunday.

Three goals late in the game in quick succession spearheaded the North Carolina Courage to a 3-0 victory over the Pride at WakeMed Soccer Park.

The win clinched the NWSL shield, regular-season champions, for the Courage (16-1-5, 53 points).

Orlando (8-8-6, 30 points) extended its winless streak to four games and sit outside the playoff line at fifth place with two games left in the season.

Post-game comments from Pride head coach Tom Sermanni. 

“There were 70 minutes that we were competitive, that we were in the game, where we’re looking comfortable. We give up a cheap goal from failing to do stuff that we emphasize and talk about that we need to do. Then we basically implode.

We’re still in the hunt here. We’re still right in the mix. But we’ve had opportunities to be much more in the mix.”

Goal summary

75′ Shelina Zadorsky (OG)
81′ Debinha (Lynn Williams)
88′ Lynn Williams (Merritt Mathias)

Up next 

Home versus Chicago Red Stars on Saturday, Aug. 25 at 7:30 p.m. ET.

How the Pride lined up

Orlando Pride XI: Ashlyn Harris ©; Ali Krieger, Alanna Kennedy, Shelina Zadorsky; Rachel Hill (Chioma Ubogagu 76’), Camila (Sydney Leroux 60’, Christine Nairn 89’), Dani Weatherholt, Emily van Egmond, Marta, Kristen Edmonds; Alex Morgan
 
Substitutes Not Used: Haley Kopmeyer; Carson Pickett, Monica, Toni Pressley

(Photo Courtesy of ISI Photos / Andy Mead)

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