 | |||
| Founded | October 20, 2015; 10 years ago (2015-10-20) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Stadium | Inter&Co Stadium Orlando, Florida | ||
| Capacity | 25,500 | ||
| Majority owners | Zygi,Leonard, andMark Wilf | ||
| Chairman | Mark Wilf | ||
| Head coach | Seb Hines | ||
| League | National Women's Soccer League | ||
| 2024 | Regular season: 1st of 14 Playoffs: Champions | ||
| Website | orlandocitysc.com/pride | ||
 Current season | |||
TheOrlando Pride are an American professionalsoccer team based inOrlando, Florida, that competes in theNational Women's Soccer League (NWSL). The Pride began play in the2016 season.[1][2] They were the tenth team to be added to the league and play their home games atInter&Co Stadium indowntown Orlando.
The Pride are under the same ownership group asOrlando City SC ofMajor League Soccer (MLS) and were included in the sale of the club in 2021. The team won their first titles during the2024 season, claiming both theNWSL Shield andNWSL Championship.
Following the2015 NWSL season, it was rumored that theOrlando City SC ownership group would be adding an expansion team to the women's professional league.[3] On October 20, 2015, a press conference was held atLake Eola Park where Phil Rawlins unveiled the team name, logo, and colors.[4] Former national team head coach ofAustralia and theUnited States,Tom Sermanni, was announced as the team's first head coach.[5]
On October 26, 2015, the Pride announced that they had made the first player acquisitions in team history; signing forwardAlex Morgan andKaylyn Kyle fromPortland Thorns FC in exchange for the Pride's No. 1 picks in the2015 NWSL Expansion Draft and the2016 NWSL College Draft as well as an international roster spot for the 2016 and 2017 seasons, and also acquiredSarah Hagen in a separate trade withFC Kansas City along with Kansas City's second-round 2016 draft pick in exchange for the Pride's 2017 second-round draft pick.[6] They finished theirinaugural season in 9th with a record of 6–1–13.[7]
Over the course of their2017 season, the Pride added several significant players, trading for Washington Spirit defender and future co-captainAli Krieger;[8] signing five timeFIFA World Player of the Year andBrazil internationalMarta;[9] and officially addingAlex Morgan to the active roster following the end of her six-month loan toOlympique Lyonnais Féminin.[10] In particular, Marta, who scored 13 goals and contributed 6 assists (second-most in both league categories that season),[11] and Morgan, who scored 9 goals,[12] were credited for the team's late-season offensive resurgence and success.[13] The Pride qualified for the playoffs for the first time in franchise history as they finished the regular season in 3rd place with a record of 11–7–6.[14][15] They went toPortland Thorns FC for the semi-final but lost 4–1.[16]
To bolster a defense that allowed the most goals of any playoff team in 2017, the Pride signed Canadian internationalShelina Zadorsky, outside-backCarson Pickett, and Brazilian defenderPoliana.[17] The Pride also strengthened an already potent offense with the addition of forwardSydney Leroux and midfieldersChristine Nairn andEmily van Egmond.[17][18] Despite these efforts, the team's struggles with key players' availabilities contributed to inconsistent on-field performances.[19][20] Ultimately, the Pride finished their2018 season in 7th place, missing the playoffs. Head coachTom Sermanni and the Orlando Pride mutually parted ways after three seasons; Sermanni had a regular season record of 25–29–14 during his spell in Orlando, going 0–1–0 in the playoffs.[21]
In January 2019,Marc Skinner stepped down from his role atFA WSL sideBirmingham City to become the Pride's second ever head coach.[22]
In May 2019, plans were unveiled to build a dedicated training facility at Sylvan Lake Park, the first-ever training facility in theNWSL that is tailored to and used exclusively by a women's team. The Pride plan to finish out the 2019 season at their current facility located at Seminole Soccer Complex before moving to the new state-of-the art training ground prior to the start of the 2020 season.[23]
The Pride's2019 season was once again characterized by the absences of key players. As the2019 FIFA Women's World Cup occurred in the middle of the NWSL season, the Pride temporarily lostAlex Morgan,Ali Krieger, andAshlyn Harris; Brazilian internationalsMarta andCamila; Australian internationalsEmily van Egmond andAlanna Kennedy; and Canadian internationalShelina Zadorsky.[24] Concurrently, new coachMarc Skinner sought to implement a more possession-based style.[25] This transition, in conjunction with player absences, contributed to one of the worst records in league history. The team finished the season in last place with a record of 4–4–16, having conceded a league record 53 goals in 24 games.[26][27]
To address their defensive fragility, the Pride traded their2020 NWSL Draft No. 1 pick to thePortland Thorns in exchange for defenderEmily Sonnett. The Thorns also traded the NWSL rights to forwardCaitlin Foord, as well as the No. 7 and No. 14 draft picks in the 2020 draft.[28] With the introduction of allocation money, the Pride also signed veteran defenderAli Riley and defensive midfielderJade Moore.[29][30] The waiving, trading, or departure of 16 players signaled the team's intention to overhaul the roster.[31]
The start of the regular2020 season was halted by the start of theCOVID-19 pandemic.[32] In June and July 2020, the NWSL held the 25-game2020 NWSL Challenge Cup tournament in a "bubble" environment in Utah. However, the Orlando Pride was forced to withdraw when multiple players and staff tested positive for COVID-19.[33] As a result, the Pride solely played in the2020 Fall Series, which began in September and featured a regional "pod" structure that only guaranteed four games for each team.[34] Many veteran players had opted to sign loan or short-term contracts overseas for additional playing time, resulting in the Pride playing with a depleted roster.[26] The Pride came last in their pod, aggregating a record of 2 draws and 2 losses.[35] Amidst the Fall Series, the Pride exercised the contract option to keep Marc Skinner through the 2021 season.[36]
Prior to the2021 season, the Pride continued to rebuild the team and club structure. The organization hired Ian Fleming as Orlando Pride general manager and former NWSL managing directorAmanda Duffy as the team's first executive vice president.[37] In December 2020, the Pride tradedEmily Sonnett to theWashington Spirit in exchange for midfielderMeggie Dougherty Howard, the2021 NWSL College Draft No. 9 pick, an additional conditional first-round draft pick in the upcoming draft, and $140,000 in allocation money.[38] Another 17 players were waived, traded, or otherwise departed, including stalwarts likeAlanna Kennedy,Camila,Shelina Zadorsky,Emily van Egmond,Kristen Edmonds, andCarson Pickett.[39][40][41] Defensive additions likeAmy Turner,Kylie Strom,Courtney Petersen (No. 7 draft pick), andPhoebe McClernon (no. 14 draft pick); midfield reinforcements likeGunnhildur Jónsdóttir andErika Tymrak; and a resurgence from the forward line, helped facilitate an improved record.[41][42] On April 22, 2021, the Pride won their first competitive match in 609 days as part of the2021 NWSL Challenge Cup.[43] The team began their season with a seven-game unbeaten streak.[44]
On May 12, 2021, Orlando City majority owner Flávio Augusto da Silva announced he was in advanced negotiations withZygi andMark Wilf, owners of theMinnesota Vikings of theNFL, for the sale of the club including the Orlando Pride and other related soccer assets. The combined value of the deal was estimated at $400–450 million.[45] On July 21, 2021, the sale was completed.[46]
On July 23, 2021,Marc Skinner resigned to become the head coach ofManchester United W.F.C.; assistant coach Carl Green served as interim coach for one game prior to his own departure.[47][48] On July 25, former University of Florida coach Becky Burleigh became the Pride's interim coach for the rest of season.[49] After a late-season slide, the Orlando Pride finished the regular season in 8th place with a 7–7–10 record and missed out on the playoffs.[50]
After several months of searching, the Orlando Pride hired UCLA head coachAmanda Cromwell as head coach on December 7, 2021.[51] The Pride also hired former USWNT playerMichelle Akers as an assistant coach.[52] Additionally, the Pride's roster saw substantial turnover as co-captainsAli Krieger andAshlyn Harris were traded toNJ/NY Gotham FC,Alex Morgan was traded toSan Diego Wave FC, andAli Riley (and in the summer,Sydney Leroux) were traded toAngel City FC.[53][54][55] In turn, the Pride acquired Welsh midfielderAngharad James, right-backCelia, defenderMegan Oyster, goalkeeperAnna Moorhouse, and forwardAlly Watt (among others) throughout the season.[53] DefenderKerry Abello, the 2021 No. 24 draft pick, was also officially signed.[56] Early in the2022 season, the Pride showed some defensive improvement, but overall progress was halted asMarta tore her ACL and was placed on the season-ending injury list.[57]
On June 7, 2022, the NWSL and the Pride placed Cromwell and assistant coach Sam Greene on "temporary administrative leave" for "retaliation in violation of the NWSL Policy to Prevent and Eliminate Workplace Discrimination, Harassment, and Bullying"; the league also placed the Pride under a roster freeze to prevent any potential retaliatory trades or player waivers.[58][59] Cromwell and Greene's suspensions were conferred based on policies developed in the wake of the 2021investigation into systematic misconduct and harassment throughout the league.[59] Assistant coach Seb Hines was made interim head coach, making him the first Black coach in the NWSL.[59][60] Hines oversaw the final 15 matches of the season, during which the Pride boasted a seven-game unbeaten streak and increased both offensive and defensive production.[61] On October 10, 2022, following the league's investigation, Cromwell and Greene were formally terminated based on findings of "verbal abuse, 'improper favoritism,' and retaliation."[62][63] Ultimately, the Pride finished the season in 10th of 12th place and with a 5–7–10 record.[50]
The Pride officially made Seb Hines their permanent head coach on November 11, 2022.[61]
In the 2023 preseason, theOrlando City SC ownership group increased investment in the Orlando Pride and elected to part ways with general manager Ian Fleming.[61] On January 30, 2023, the Pride announced the hiring ofHaley Carter as general manager and VP of soccer operations in a move considered to signal a new emphasis on player welfare.[64][65]
The Pride's2023 season started slowly with four consecutive losses.[66] However, offensive improvements spearheaded by new Brazilian internationalAdriana and forwardJulie Doyle, in addition to a more consistent defense led byKylie Strom, centerback pairingEmily Madril andRafaelle, and goalkeeperAnna Moorhouse, made the Pride contenders for a playoff spot.[66] The Pride accumulated a record of 10–1–11, finishing in 7th of 12th place and just out of the playoff positions (withAngel City FC clinching the final spot on goal difference alone).[67][68] Nevertheless, the club had one of its best seasons in its historyto that point: the most home wins (7); the fewest goals (28) and goals per game (1.28) conceded; the most clean sheets (7); the most games won (10) since 2017; and the most goals scored in a match (5).[69]
Subsequently, the Pride made several significant acquisitions, including Zambian forwardBarbra Banda.[70][71] On October 6, 2024, Orlando Pride won their first trophy, clinching theNWSL Shield with three games to spare following a 2–0 win againstWashington Spirit. Pride remained unbeaten on the season to that point, a streak of 24 regular-season matches stretching back to October 2023.[72] The streak was ended byPortland Thorns in the following game on October 11. On November 23, Orlando Pride defeated Washington Spirit atCPKC Stadium inKansas City, Missouri in the NWSL playoffs final, allowing them to claim their first league title. Orlando Pride's championship victory made the club the first team from Orlando to win a major championship.[73]
The name Orlando Pride was announced on October 20, 2015, by founder and president Phil Rawlins. He noted that the name "captures how we all feel about the City of Orlando, as well as firmly tying into theLions family"[4] (in addition to being an emotion, pride is also the name given to a group of lions, with the majority of the group being females, lionesses). The team colors are purple and light blue. The logo features an illustration of the Linton E. Allen Memorial Fountain atLake Eola Park.[74][75]
Home
       2016 |     2017–2018 |    2019–2020 |  2021–2022 |  2023 |  2024 |     2025– |
Away
   2016 |    2017 |  2018–2019 |    2020–2021 |  2022–2023 |    2024– |
.jpg)
The team plays its home games atInter&Co Stadium, inOrlando, Florida, which opened for the2017 NWSL season. The stadium has a 25,500 capacity including asafe standing section. Prior to this the team played the2016 season atCamping World Stadium.
On April 23, 2016, the Pride set a new NWSL attendance record, achieving a crowd of 23,403 during the Pride's inaugural home game, a 3–1 victory over theHouston Dash at Camping World Stadium.[76] The record stood for over three years beforePortland Thorns attracted apost–World Cup attendance of 25,218 in the newly expandedProvidence Park in August 2019.[77]
.jpg)
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | FW |  ARG | Mariana Larroquette(on loan toLexington SC until November 22, 2025)[80] |
| 16 | MF |  USA | Morgan Gautrat(on loan toNewcastle United until November 22, 2025)[81] |
| 29 | FW |  CAN | Amanda Allen(on loan atHalifax Tides FC until November 22, 2025)[82] |
| 32 | DF | USA | Brianna Martinez(on loan atCarolina Ascent FC until November 22, 2025)[82] |
| 33 | MF | USA | Aryssa Mahrt(on loan atSpokane Zephyr FC until November 22, 2025)[80] |
| 36 | GK | USA | Kat Asman(on loan toLexington SC until November 22, 2025)[80] |
| Executive | |
|---|---|
| Chair | Mark Wilf |
| Vice-chair | Zygi Wilf |
| Vice-chair | Leonard Wilf |
| General manager | Haley Carter |
| Technical | |
| Head coach |  Seb Hines |
| Assistant coach |  Giles Barnes |
| Assistant coach |  Yolanda Thomas |
| Goalkeeper coach | Paul Crichton |
| Director of medical & performance | Cory Price |
| Strength and conditioning coach | Christi Edson |
| Season | NWSL regular season | Position | Playoffs | Summer Cup | Challenge Cup | Top scorer[A] | Avg. attendance | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pts | Player | Goals | ||||||
| 2016 | 20 | 6 | 1 | 13 | 20 | 30 | 19 | 9th | DNQ | NH | NH | Kristen Edmonds | 6 | 8,785 |
| 2017 | 24 | 11 | 7 | 6 | 45 | 31 | 40 | 3rd | SF |  Marta | 13 | 6,186 | ||
| 2018 | 24 | 8 | 6 | 10 | 30 | 36 | 30 | 7th | DNQ | Sydney Leroux | 6 | 4,837 | ||
| 2019 | 24 | 4 | 4 | 16 | 24 | 53 | 16 | 9th | DNQ | Marta | 6 | 5,565 | ||
| 2020 | NWSL season not contested | DNP | Marisa Viggiano | 2[B] | N/A | |||||||||
| 2021 | 24 | 7 | 7 | 10 | 27 | 32 | 28 | 8th | DNQ | Group stage | Sydney Leroux | 9 | 4,227 | |
| 2022 | 22 | 5 | 7 | 10 | 22 | 45 | 22 | 10th | DNQ | Group stage | Darian Jenkins Gunnhildur Jónsdóttir | 4 | 4,385 | |
| 2023 | 22 | 10 | 1 | 11 | 27 | 28 | 31 | 7th | DNQ | Group stage | Messiah Bright | 7 | 5,504 | |
| 2024 | 26 | 18 | 6 | 2 | 46 | 20 | 60 | 1st | W | Group stage | DNQ |  Barbra Banda | 17 | 8,340 |
| 2025 | 26 | 11 | 7 | 8 | 33 | 27 | 40 | 4th | R1 | NH | RU | Barbra Banda | 8 | |
| Name | Nationality | From | To | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | Win%[nb 1] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tom Sermanni |  Scotland | October 20, 2015 | September 14, 2018 | 69 | 25 | 14 | 30 | 96 | 102 | 036.23 |
| Marc Skinner | England | January 14, 2019 | July 23, 2021 | 43 | 9 | 12 | 22 | 46 | 77 | 020.93 |
| Carl Green(interim) | England | July 23, 2021 | July 24, 2021 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 000.00 |
| Becky Burleigh(interim) |  United States | July 25, 2021 | October 30, 2021 | 12 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 13 | 17 | 025.00 |
| Amanda Cromwell | United States | December 7, 2021 | October 10, 2022[nb 2] | 13 | 2 | 4 | 7 | 13 | 28 | 015.38 |
| Seb Hines | England | June 7, 2022[nb 3] | present | 101 | 45 | 24 | 32 | 136 | 125 | 044.55 |
| Total | 239 | 84 | 57 | 98 | 304 | 351 | 035.15 | |||
In 2016, games were broadcast locally on the Bright House Sports Network.[87] In April of the same year, alivestream of a Pride match simulcast on theFacebook page ofAlex Morgan had a live audience of 489,999 during the first half.[88] It was the first professional sports broadcast on the social networking website.[89]
For the 2017 season, Orlando Pride games were streamed exclusively byGo90 for American audiences and via the NWSL website for international viewers.[90] As part of a three-year agreement withA&E Networks,Lifetime broadcasts oneNWSL Game of the Week on Saturday afternoons.[91][92] The Pride were featured in the nationally televised Game of the Week on seven occasions.[93] The deal was mutually terminated a year early at the end of the 2018 season.[94]
In 2019, NWSL regular season matches were streamed onYahoo! Sports for the domestic audience while international fans continued to have access to games for free via the NWSL app and at NWSLsoccer.com.[95] However, on July 4, 2019, NWSL announced it had signed a deal through the second half of the2019 season withESPN on the back of theUSWNT'sWorld Cup victory. The new deal meant ESPN would televise 11 regular season matches including two Pride games (July 14 and September 11) as well as every playoff game.[96] The sudden switch and lack of information surrounding the international broadcasts led to widespread confusion as ESPN's subscription service ESPN Player took control in Europe, Africa and parts of Asia while Canada's rights were acquired byTSN.[97]
For the 2020 season, the NWSL announced a three-year broadcast deal withCBS Sports and streaming serviceTwitch. In total, 87 NWSL matches will be shown across the main CBS network, CBS Sports Network, and CBS All Access live-streaming service with 14 of those games televised while Twitch will offer free coverage of 24 selected matches during the 2020 NWSL regular season. Twitch will also serve as the NWSL's exclusive international media rights partner outside the United States in 2020 with all 108 regular-season matches, the playoffs, and Championship available to global viewers.[98][99]
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