Orlando Pride's Luana scored her first NWSL playoff goal after fighting cancer. Her comeback inspires the team as they advance to the semifinals.
Luana, a midfielder for the Orlando Pride, scored her first goal in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) playoffs during the quarterfinal match against the Seattle Reign. This goal came more than a year and a half after she was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a type of cancer. Her goal, scored from a penalty kick in the final seconds, helped secure a 2-0 victory for the Pride.
Luana shared her feelings after the game, saying, "One year ago, I didn't even know if I would be playing again. And today, I'm here. Nothing is impossible." She underwent 18 months of treatment and recovery before returning to play in a CONCACAF match in September. Her journey shows great strength and determination.
Her teammates expressed strong confidence in her abilities. Haley McCutcheon, who scored the first goal in the match, said, "I literally said out loud, 'She's gonna make it.'" Before her illness, Luana had played only three NWSL games but quickly earned respect for her leadership and spirit.
Thanks to Luana's penalty goal, the Orlando Pride advanced to the semifinals of the NWSL playoffs. Luana highlighted the team's resilience, saying, "We have players that never give up. We know that when we're together and we play together, it's hard to beat us." The Pride will face the winner of the match between Kansas City Current and Gotham FC on Sunday, November 9.
