Nicole Payne scored her first professional goal in her first start for the Orlando Pride, giving the reigning NWSL champions a 1-0 victory over San Diego Wave FC at Snapdragon Stadium. Payne had missed the entire previous season after suffering a right ACL tear in February 2025.
The injury occurred during a preseason friendly for Portland Thorns against Angel City FC at the Coachella Valley Invitational and ruled Payne out for the 2025 NWSL campaign. She joined Orlando in January on a one-year deal after two seasons with Portland, where she made 19 regular-season appearances in 2024. Sunday marked her third appearance since returning from surgery and her first start.
The goal came late in the first half when midfielder Luana played a long ball that deflected off defender Kristen McNabb and fell to Payne at the edge of the area. The 25-year-old took a touch and struck the ball right-footed across goal, past goalkeeper Didi Haračić and into the far corner to make it 1-0 for Orlando. Pride head coach Seb Hines said, “It was terrific,” adding that Payne is “playing somewhat out of position” and praising her qualities and progress in the team.
It was Payne’s first goal at any level since her college days at USC in 2022, about 120 miles north of Snapdragon Stadium. After returning from ACL surgery, Payne posted on Instagram: “Feeling super lucky and blessed to be back. This journey hasn’t been an easy one but it’s been the most rewarding.”
The knee injury also kept Payne out of the Nigeria squad. She and her older sister, Toni, became the first sisters to share the pitch for the Super Falcons when they played together during the USWNT Summer Series in June 2021. Payne has not played for Nigeria since the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she featured in all three of the team’s group-stage matches.
The Pride will return home to face Bay FC on May 29 in their final match before the NWSL season pauses for the 2026 Men’s FIFA World Cup. The NWSL airs on ESPN’s channels in Africa (DStv 218 and 219), and on Disney+ in South Africa.
