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Do the Orlando Pride Have the Pieces to Trade for Sydney Leroux?

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There has been swirling speculation in the past few days about what impact Orlando City’s record-setting deal for star striker Dom Dwyer will have on the soccer world. The move could create waves in the entirety of the American soccer landscape — namely the NWSL, where speculation abounds regarding Sydney Leroux, Dwyer’s wife and star of FC Kansas City.

Dom’s move comes less than two years after Leroux finally got her wish to play in the same city as her husband. The USWNT star tried to force her way to FCKC from the Seattle Reign, who shipped her to the Western New York Flash instead, before she finally landed in Kansas City in January 2016. Now, with her husband on the move, trade rumors have begun again.

The positives for Orlando soccer in general abound. Leroux, while on the fringes of the USWNT, is still a big name in the American women’s soccer world and could fit right in alongside the Pride’s current roster of attackers; whether Leroux is wide right or central, she’s a goal scorer by nature. But the early chatter around Leroux’s camp is that she isn’t going to force a move to the Orlando Pride, instead saying she’ll focus on FCKC and raising the couple’s young son, Cassius, who celebrates his first birthday in September. She was adamant when responding to questions about her future on Twitter:

The secondary registration/transfer window closed on July 5 but the NWSL roster freeze date is Aug. 29. Whether or not NWSL would allow a trade is up in the air; there is precedence for moves to happen outside of windows as long as the federation holds all of the necessary International Transfer Certificates (ITCs) which would be the case if Leroux, FCKC, and the Pride all wanted to get a deal done for the end of this year.

Would Kansas City trade one of its brightest stars? Chances are it might be so inclined given that Leroux spent the 2016 season out pregnant and has just three goals and one assist through 15 appearances this year. Her production has not matched her price tag after FCKC gave up two draft picks, two international slots, and Jessica McDonald to acquire Leroux and Tiffany McCarty in a three-way deal with Western New York and the Houston Dash. Her value has likely dropped since then, but she still wouldn’t come cheap for Orlando; after all, Leroux is still a regular call-up with the USWNT including this weekend’s Tournament of Nations.

Realistically, Leroux would fall on the spectrum between the Pride’s latest two deals for USWNT stars. The blockbuster trade for Sydney’s friend Alex Morgan back in 2015 saw Orlando give up an international spot and the rights to two stars in Meghan Klingenberg and Lindsey Horan, as well as the top overall draft pick that became Emily Sonnett. On the other hand, Ali Krieger flew south for cents on the dollar in a swap of Distribution Ranking order with the Washington Spirit.

Leroux is definitely not going to cost the Pride the ransom they paid the Portland Thorns for Morgan but it’s also not likely FCKC lets her walk for peanuts. Orlando is skint for draft picks for next year after unloading all of their 2018 selections for Rachel Hill, Chioma Ubogagu, and an international spot. Orlando did receive Houston’s third rounder back for Cami Levin, but the Pride don’t have a lot of draft capital to work with unless the club wants to start mortgaging 2019.

But that doesn’t mean the Pride don’t have the pieces to potentially get a deal done. With the influx of young talent this season, they have a unique combination of players that can get the job done now as well as prospects down the road, all while potentially keeping the majority of their starting lineup intact.

The biggest name among those on the outside looking in is Kristen Edmonds, who has recently been relegated to a substitute role with Tom Sermanni’s change in formation and personnel. Edmonds, who broke out with the Pride last season and earned a USWNT call up, has dropped from midfield to fullback and then to the bench this year. The gaffer’s newfound preference for two defensive midfielders and Camila’s emergence have shuffled Kristen off to the side.

But FCKC is unlikely to take just a quality option in midfield for their striker, even if Leroux isn’t producing so far this season. That’s where the treasure trove of young attacking talent the Pride have built up comes in. Between Chioma Ubogagu, Rachel Hill, Jamia Fields, and Danica Evans, there are some quality options that the Pride could offer up to sweeten the deal for the future of FCKC. Bringing in Leroux would only push some of the younger forwards down the depth chart, so it makes sense for Orlando to clear some room in a swap. It may not seem optimal for the Kansas City side this season, but with 13 points through 15 matches, maybe it’s time to look toward future years.

The Pride could potentially hold onto Edmonds as long as they packaged an enticing offer of future draft picks and young talent. After all, Orlando’s front office has proven they are in a win-now mindset and aren’t afraid to ship off picks for older talent. With a combination of Morgan, Marta, and Leroux, the Pride go from playoff hopefuls to potential contenders. It doesn’t hurt that it could convince Dwyer to sign an extension with the men’s side.

All in all, a deal for Sydney Leroux may not be out of the realm of possibility for the Pride this year. It may be a risk to give up too much for an underperforming forward that has struggled in her comeback year, but there’s certainly potential for her to get back on track with the firepower of Morgan and Marta alongside her. Leroux’s talent may be enough to move the needle and catapult the Pride into the upper echelon of the NWSL.

Orlando Pride

2024 Orlando Pride Season in Review: Viviana Villacorta

Viviana Villacorta returned to the field late in the 2024 season. Let’s see how she performed this year.

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Image courtesy of Orlando Pride

The Orlando Pride selected Viviana Villacorta with the ninth overall pick of the 2021 NWSL Draft out of UCLA. The defensive midfielder opted to remain in school for her senior season, but tore her ACL shortly after, which kept her out of action for the 2021 NWSL campaign. She suffered an ankle injury in the 2022 season that required surgery and tore her ACL for the second time late in the 2023 season.

Villacorta didn’t re-enter the team until late in the year in 2024, making some league appearances and a playoff appearance as the season wound down. While she didn’t have a significant impact on the championship run, the fact that she got back onto the field was an accomplishment.

Let’s take a look at how Villacorta did in the few minutes she received in 2024.

Statistical Breakdown

Villacorta was in the team for the first time this season on Sept. 28, coming on as a substitute at home against the Houston Dash. She made three regular-season appearances in 2024, starting one — the last game of the season against Seattle Reign FC. She played 69 minutes in the regular season without a goal or an assist, completing 31 of 35 passes (91.2%). Villacorta attempted one shot but it was not on frame. Defensively, she recorded one tackle and two interceptions, commited three fouls, and was not booked.

She also came on as a substitute in the first playoff game against the Chicago Red Stars, making her professional playoff debut. The midfielder played three minutes in the match without a goal contribution, helping to see out the game. She completed four of her five passes (80%).

Best Game

The 25-year-old’s best game has to be her lone start against Seattle on Nov. 2. She had a season-high 26 touches, completed 95% of her 18 passes, and recorded one of her two interceptions in 45 minutes of action. She also took her only shot of the season in that game, though it was off target. She was replaced by regular starter Angelina at halftime.

2024 Final Grade

The Mane Land staff gave Villacorta a 5.5 for the 2022 and 2023 seasons, but she didn’t play enough minutes (400 across all competitions) this year to get a grade. As a result, she receives an incomplete grade for the 2024 NWSL season.

2025 Outlook

Despite suffering multiple season-ending injuries, the Pride continue to believe in Villacorta, signing her to a new contract on July 16 that runs through the 2025 season with a mutual option for 2026. The defensive midfielder has shown her quality when healthy, but she’s been unable to remain on the field for long periods of time. The Pride have also strengthened that position, adding Angelina and Morgan Gautrat to the roster, as well as Luana, who is attempting to work her way back from cancer treatment. As a result, it will be hard for Villacorta to get significant minutes, even if she is able to remain healthy. With her experience, however, she can be a key depth player at the position.


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2024 Orlando Pride Season in Review: Mariana Larroquette

The Argentine international’s second season with Orlando did not produce the larger role with the team she may have expected.

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Dan MacDonald, The Mane Land

In the middle of the 2023 season, the Orlando Pride signed forward Mariana Larroquette, adding her to the roster July 6 on a deal through the 2025 season. The Argentine international represented her country in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, meaning she didn’t join the Pride until after the competition. Although she was a signing made with an eye toward bolstering the offense, Larroquette made only five appearances in her first season in Orlando — all of them off the bench. With a full preseason with the Pride under her belt, many expected to see her play a more significant role in 2024, but ultimately, it didn’t work out that way. The Pride’s signing of Barbra Banda didn’t help matters for Larroquette in terms of playing time.

Let’s take a look at how Larroquette performed in her second season in Orlando.

Statistical Breakdown

Larroquette made her season debut March 22 against Angel City, which was one of just four appearances during the regular season — all off the bench — logging 48 total minutes. She did not contribute a goal or an assist, failing to attempt a shot. The 32-year-old completed just 41.2% of her 17 passes without a key pass. Larroquette won four of her six tackle attempts (66.7%) and two headed duels. She committed one foul and drew three on the opposition and was not booked.

In the Summer Cup, Larroquette made three appearances, starting once — in the team’s 2-2 draw against CF Monterrey, in which Orlando captured the extra point in penalties. Larroquette played 107 minutes but did not contribute a goal or an assist, attempting three shots but putting neither on target. She completed 68% of her 25 passes but did not create a scoring chance from them. Defensively, she won two headed duels and recorded three interceptions, but she did not attempt a tackle. Larroquette committed one foul in the Summer Cup, drew four on the opposition, and was not booked.

She did not appear in the Pride’s playoff run.

Best Game

Larroquette’s best game has to be the one in which she started and played a season-high 65 minutes — the Pride’s 2-2 draw and 5-4 penalty shootout victory over CF Monterrey in the Summer Cup. Although Larroquette was already off the pitch by the time the shootout took place, she still made her biggest impact in this match, as it was the only game of the year in which she attempted any shots. While she didn’t impact the scoresheet on the attacking end, Larroquette recorded three interceptions in the match as she helped out in the press and defending the Mexican side.

2024 Final Grade

With 155 total minutes across all competitions, Larroquette fell short of the required 400 minutes to qualify for a grade from The Mane Land staff. As a result, she’s given an incomplete for the 2024 NWSL season. She played more in 2024 than she did in 2023, but she was also on the roster all year.

2024 Outlook

Larroquette’s contract runs through the 2025 NWSL season, but the writing may be on the wall after getting few minutes the last two seasons. She’s also on the wrong side of 30 to see much of an increase in that department. This may be an off-season that sees the club part ways with the veteran striker, who may seek a chance to get more minutes elsewhere as she the shelf life on her professional career grows shorter. If she remains on the roster, I would expect her role to remain the same in 2025, giving the club a few minutes here and there later in games and perhaps seeing a larger role in midseason cup competitions.


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2024 Orlando Pride Season in Review: Sofia Manner

The Finnish goalkeeper spent her first season in Orlando. Let’s look back to see how she performed.

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Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Mark Thor

The Orlando Pride signed Finnish goalkeeper Sofia Manner on Dec. 1, 2023 on a deal through the 2025 season with an option for 2026. At the time, Orlando Pride Vice President of Soccer Operations and Sporting Director Haley Carter said the club expected Manner to challenge Anna Moorhouse for the starting goalkeeper role. Given that Moorhouse played every minute of the season and McKinley Crone dressed as the primary backup, that didn’t exactly happen.

However, Manner did get some minutes in her first year in Orlando in the Summer Cup, giving Head Coach Seb Hines a look at her under competitive match conditions.

Let’s take a look back at Manner’s first season with the Pride.

Statistical Breakdown

Manner did not play in the regular season, as Moorhouse played every minute of the season (and postseason) for the Pride in goal. However, Manner got the start in Orlando’s second game in the competition, a home match against CF Monterrey on July 28. The contest ended in a 2-2 draw before the Pride won 5-4 in penalties in the ensuing shootout.

Manner played 90 minutes, allowing two goals and making three saves, for a 60% save percentage. She only faced seven non-blocked shots, but five of them were on target. The Helsinki native completed 16 of 21 passes (73%), including four of 10 long balls. Following the draw, Manner made the difference in the shootout, stopping a shot by Merel Van Dongen, who was the only player of the 10 shooters not to convert.

Best Game

Having played in only one match, this is an easy choice. Manner’s debut was her only match of the year, meaning the 2-2 draw vs. CF Monterrey in the Summer Cup was also her best game of the 2024 season. The visitors took the lead twice in the match, but Manner kept her team in the game, allowing the Pride to equalize twice. Once the match moved to penalties, Manner did well to stop a shot from one of Monterrey’s most dangerous players, allowing her team to claim an extra point.

2024 Final Grade

With only 90 minutes to her credit across all competitions in 2024, Manner didn’t play enough to get a grade for the 2024 season, receiving an incomplete from The Mane Land staff. Despite a small sample size, backup goalkeepers don’t always get a chance to play, so it’s good that the coaching staff got a look at the 27-year-old during a competitive match against international competition.

2025 Outlook

With Moorhouse signed through the 2025 season and McKinley Crone also under contract, Manner could remain and try to battle her way up the depth chart. However, if the prospects don’t look good for her to get playing time, there’s a chance that she and the club could mutually agree to part ways. Crone looked good in her limited time, but it’s always nice to have a more experienced option behind Moorhouse as well. Unless there are injuries, I would expect Manner’s minutes to be limited in 2025 as well, unless she can elevate her game and earn more looks.


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