The defending champion Orlando Pride scored a goal in each half for an emotional 2-0 win over the Seattle Reign in the quarterfinals of the National Women's Soccer League playoffs on Friday.

Haley McCutcheon slotted the ball into the back of the net from just inside the box to make it 1-0 in the 21st minute after an exchange of passes on the right wing between Marta and Julia Doyle.

It was McCutcheon's fourth goal of the season, and the second consecutive year she has scored for Orlando in the playoff quarterfinals.

The Reign piled on the pressure in the second half but couldn't find a way through the Pride's sturdy defense.

Seattle's biggest chance of the night fell to Maddie Mercado in the 76th minute. But her close-range shot was denied by the outstretched leg of Anna Moorhouse, who finished with eight saves.

Marta dribbled half the length of the pitch and was then fouled by Sam Meza in the box in second half stoppage time. Luana converted the penalty to make it 2-0 with practically the final kick of the game.

It was Luana's first NWSL goal and her first since fully recovering from Hodgkin's lymphoma earlier this year.

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"We still have the same players here, the same mentality and still work so hard and still believe. Because it seems that most of the players outside don't believe in Pride, but Pride is still the champions. And [they] need to have a little bit more respect about it," Marta, who was visibly emotional, told a post-match news conference.

"We want to play for people who come here and support this team every single game. We want to play for our family, friends, amazing staff that we have here in this club, and of course for ourselves because it's only this kind of people who believe in us and who still believe that we can do [it] again.

"But at the same time I like when people talk so much s--- about Pride and don't give credit, because it makes me feel good. It makes me feel like I want to go and play and prove they're completely wrong. I think we proved [it] tonight."

Asked about giving the ball to Luana for the penalty, Marta said: "I was looking to do something for Luana. Not only in this game but before too. I had the opportunity to give the ball to her and let her take the penalty. She does it well. She did tonight.

"I just came to her and told her take [it] and finish this f---ing game. I'm so happy that she converted the penalty and we ended the game in this way. She deserves [it]. We deserve [it]."

The Pride are looking to become the first NWSL team to successfully defend their title since the North Carolina Courage in 2019. The No. 4 seed Pride will meet either the top-seeded Kansas City Current or the No. 8 Gotham FC in the semifinals.

Information from ESPN's Jeff Kassouf contributed to this report.