Orlando Pride Trade for Defender Morgan Reid

With just over a week before the 2019 NWSL season the Orlando Pride found some vital depth. The Pride traded their 2020 fourth-round draft pick to the North Carolina Courage in exchange for defender Morgan Reid. 

“Morgan brings depth to our back line in an important year where we’ll be losing up to nine internationals to the Women’s World Cup,” Orlando Pride General Manager Erik Ustruck said in a club press release. “She defends on the front foot, she’s comfortable with the ball at both feet and likes to attack out of the back. Her versatility will help strengthen the core of our roster, and we’re looking forward to seeing how she adapts to our playing style.”

The Courage drafted the former Duke standout in the fourth round of last year’s NWSL College Draft. Reid was eventually signed as a national team replacement player but failed to make a single appearance in the NWSL. The 23-year-old’s only game time for North Carolina was in the inaugural Women’s International Champions Cup. Reid came off the bench in both of North Carolina’s matches and helped the Courage win the tournament. 

Before joining the Courage, Reid was a four-year starter at Duke. She made 92 appearances (86 starts) and recorded five assists. As a senior, Reid helped the Duke defense record a school record 18 shutouts and finish as a top 10 defense in the nation. She was also in the 2014 Top Drawer Soccer Preseason Best XI Freshman Team. 

The North Carolina native spent time with the U.S. Women’s National Team setup. She was part of the 2012 U-17 World Cup team and was called up to camp with the U-20s in 2014.  

Reid also excels off the field. She missed the beginning of last season to finish college and get her degree. The 23-year-old was selected to the ACC Honor Roll all four years and made the ACC All-Academic team in 2017. She was a pre-med graduate at Duke. 

What it Means for the Pride

The entire 2019 NWSL season is going to be overshadowed by the World Cup, and this signing helps with some depth on the back line. Defenders Alanna Kennedy, Shelina Zadorsky, Camila, and Ali Krieger could all be called up to their respective national teams and could miss a big chunk of the season. 

Reid is a young defender who can play outside or at center back. She is inexperienced, having never played an NWSL game, but Pride Head Coach Marc Skinner could use that to his advantage to mold her to fit his system. Still, while she did not play, Reid was part of the championship Courage side and will have learned from teammates and that experience.

She is available to play in Sunday’s friendly against the Puerto Rico Sol. It will be a perfect time to see how Skinner deploys her. She seems solid on the ball and in distribution, which are key traits for Skinner’s possession style.