Orlando Pride
Report: Orlando Pride Trading Emily Sonnett to Washington Spirit

According to a report by the Washington City Paper’s Kelyn Soong, the Orlando Pride are in the process of trading USWNT defender Emily Sonnett to the Washington Spirit for the No. 9 pick in January’s 2021 NWSL Draft, the Spirit’s 2023 first-round pick, midfielder Meggie Dougherty Howard, and allocation money. Soong’s story cites an unnamed source with knowledge of the trade. Neither the Pride, nor the Spirit, have officially announced the trade as of this writing.
Sonnett, who was acquired from the Portland Thorns on Jan. 8 in exchange for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 draft (Sophia Smith), hasn’t played a game for the Pride due to the pandemic (although she has trained with Orlando) and the exodus of top NWSL players to Europe to get games in 2020. Acquiring Sonnett in January appeared to be part of the Pride’s rebuild after an awful 2019 campaign. Per the club’s press release:
“Acquiring not only one, but two players with the domestic and international resumes of Emily and Caitlin, plus additional draft picks for 2020, puts the club in a strong position to continue building for both short and long-term success,” Orlando Pride GM Erik Ustruck said in a club press release. “Emily and Caitlin are two players we have targeted for a while and we are incredibly happy to come to terms on this deal.”
Orlando also received the rights to Caitlin Foord — which were subsequently snatched by Racing Louisville in the NWSL Expansion Draft — and the Nos. 7 and 14 picks in 2020. The Pride selected Courtney Petersen and Phoebe McClernon, respectively, with those picks. Neither has played for the Pride yet and McClernon is unsigned as of this writing, although her NWSL rights are retained by Orlando, so that could change.
Sonnett went to play in Sweden on a short-term deal after the Pride pulled out of the NWSL Challenge Cup, appearing in 10 matches (eight starts) and helping Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC win a league championship. Prior to her acquisition, Sonnett played four seasons with the Thorns, scoring eight goals in 78 appearances (regular season plus playoffs). She scored a goal in the 2017 NWSL semifinal match-up against the Pride at Providence Park. She has won the NWSL Shield and the 2017 NWSL championship with Portland.
She was, ironically, selected by Portland with Orlando’s first ever draft spot in 2016. The Thorns picked the former Virginia Cavalier No. 1 in the 2016 NWSL College Draft using a draft pick that the Pride traded to Portland in exchange for Alex Morgan and Kaylyn Kyle. Orlando also sent an international slot to Portland for 2016 and 2017 in that trade.
With Virginia, Sonnett was named the 2015 espnW Soccer Player of the Year, 2015 ACC Defensive Player of the Year, NSCAA First Team All-American, 2014 College Cup Most Outstanding Defensive Player, First Team All-ACC, and was a finalist for the 2015 MAC Hermann Trophy.
The 5-foot-7 native of Marietta, GA, has 46 caps with the United States Women’s National Team. She was on the 2019 side that won the FIFA Women’s World Cup in France.
Howard, 25, is a native of Largo, FL, over in the Tampa Bay area. She attended St. Petersburg Catholic High School and played college soccer at the University of Florida. Howard appeared in 94 matches from 2013 to 2016 and scored 14 goals for the Gators as a defensive midfielder, earning 2016 All American, 2016 All-SEC First Team, and 2016 All-SEC Tournament MVP honors. While in college, she won a title playing with the Washington Spirit Reserves in the W-League and made that league’s all-star team in 2015.
Washington selected Howard with the 29th overall pick in the 2017 NWSL College Draft. She made her Spirit debut against the Pride, coincidentally, coming on as a sub on April 22, 2017 in a 1-1 draw. That was the Pride’s first match at what is now known as Exploria Stadium. Howard has scored one career NWSL goal and registered one assist in 68 appearances with Washington, playing 5,436 minutes since entering the league.
What it Means for Orlando
Sonnett, 27, was going to be part of the solution for a back line that made a lot of mistakes in 2019 and leaked a lot of goals. She’s versatile and can play both central defense or fullback. The Pride have struggled to find solid starting fullbacks in the past and presumed starting center backs Ali Krieger and Shelina Zadorsky are 36 and 28 years old, respectively. So Sonnett’s presence would certainly help the Pride if this trade doesn’t come to pass.
If the trade happens as reported, the Pride will get back into the first round in the 2021 NWSL Draft after trading their natural first selection in January to move up and select Taylor Kornieck at No. 3 overall. Orlando would also have a second first-round pick in 2023, which is never a bad asset to have. The unknown is the amount of allocation money that Orlando would reportedly receive, which could be used to great effect.
Orlando will also benefit from having a player who can be a true No. 6 in Howard, who will be coming home to Florida. Jason Anderson, who covers the Spirit for Black and Red United, said this of her:
“MDH is a really solid DM. she can play the 6 or the 8. Good long-range passer, good vision, really tough tackler. Led the team in key passes her rookie year playing as an 8. Probably should have been Rookie of the Year but lost out to (Ashley) Hatch due to Hatch getting to score goals for North Carolina. for the Spirit her problem was going to be that with (Andi) Sullivan around, she can’t play her best spot as a 6, and they’ve got (Bayley) Feist and (Dorian) Bailey looking for time, and most likely (Tori) Huster too if they change formations like I think they’re going to. She’s a good kid, very interested in helping out the Spirit’s off-field causes, and also on her own (she made like 60 masks for a local children’s hospital during the early lockdown days).”
As for the rest of this reported trade, the true ramifications won’t be known for some time and are complicated because this ultimately involves Smith’s NWSL career and potentially the future of Foord, should she return to the NWSL — because that’s what Orlando gave up to get Sonnett to begin with. The future draft picks are also important to how this trade is ultimately viewed, as is the way the Pride use any allocation money that comes to Orlando in the deal.
With so many moving pieces, it will ultimately be difficult to look back and get a clear view of how to evaluate this trade from the Pride’s perspective. It hurts to lose a valuable player like Sonnett. But the Pride have a long way to go to become contenders again and this trade, if it goes down as reported, could help with that in the future.
Orlando Pride
Seb Hines Has Decisions To Make For Orlando Pride’s Back Line
What will the Pride’s back line look like when everyone is healthy?

As the 2025 NWSL season approaches, the Orlando Pride’s roster is taking shape. While the lineup will mostly remain the same, the departure of Adriana and the addition of Prisca Chilufya will impact changes. Additionally, the team has a key previously injured player returning for next season, something that will force Head Coach Seb Hines to make some tough decisions.
One of the most interesting situations impacting the Pride is the back line. Last season, Rafaelle went down with an injury that forced Emily Sams back to her natural center back position, partnering with Kylie Strom. The duo were terrific down the stretch, lifting their team to 14 shutouts, including in the NWSL Championship.
The move forced rookie Cori Dyke to take a more significant role, starting at right back. It was a tough situation for the 24-year-old, but she handled it brilliantly. Dyke was excellent during the final stretch of the season and especially during the playoffs, helping the team win the league title.
When Rafaelle returns from her injury and is fit to play, Hines will have three center backs, all of which have proven to make strong pairings on the back line. So how will the Pride boss handle the situation? Let’s take a look at some of his options.
If It Ain’t Broke, Don’t Fix It
While Rafaelle is a Brazilian international and a great center back, Sams and Strom were fantastic together for much of last season. Sams began the year at right back, while Rafaelle and Strom were the center back pairing. When Sams was forced to move to her natural position, Dyke took over as the starting right back.
Dyke had a strong rookie campaign, especially after taking over. Taking her out of the starting lineup with how she performed would be difficult for Hines. It would be surprising to see Rafaelle healthy and on the bench, but the back line of Kerry Abello, Strom, Sams, and Dyke was the best in the league last year and Hines might not want to rock the boat.
Go Back To The Start of 2024
Another option is to go back to how the back line looked at the start of 2024. While Sams was a regular at center back in 2023, Hines moved her to right back to begin last season. In a corresponding move, Strom — who had been the starting left back since 2022 — moved to center back alongside Rafaelle.
With everyone healthy, Hines could give that lineup another chance. After all, Strom was more solid at center back than left back and Sams proved she’s more than capable of playing right back. This is probably the most likely option and would ensure the team’s three best defenders are on the field.
Return to 2023
The Pride acquired Rafaelle on July 3, 2023, while the league was in the middle of the FIFA Women’s World Cup break. When the Brazilian joined the team, she started with Sams at center back and Strom was the starting left back. Strom has much more experience at left back than Sams does at right back, so Hines could send her back to her original position.
However, Strom had her best season as a member of the Pride in 2024 while playing center back. It’s hard to believe that Hines would send his vice captain back to left back after playing her in the middle all of last year. Rafaelle and Sams are the team’s only other experienced center backs, so this option is a possibility, even if it is unlikely.
Take Advantage of Versatility
When it comes to acquiring defenders, one of the primary things Hines and Haley Carter consider is versatility. Almost everyone on the back line can play center back and at least one of the outside back positions. This gives Hines an opportunity that few coaches have with their rosters.
Hines could move the players around, pairing all three center backs at times and moving Strom to the left and Sams to the right occasionally. Even Dyke can play center back, as she did in college. Moving players around would give them breaks during the season, keeping them fresh.
This decision could also backfire. Players get comfortable with their positions, so moving them around constantly could impact their quality. It would be a risky choice and is unlikely, but given the versatility of the players, it is an option for Hines. He could also take advantage of their versatility by playing a back line of three center backs, using Strom, Rafaelle, and Sams, while pushing Kerry Abello and Dyke up to wingback.
The Pride won the NWSL Shield and NWSL Championship in 2024, one of the best seasons for any team in league history. They have most of the team returning, so they’ll be a favorite to repeat in 2025. While most of the lineup will be back, there are still some questions to be answered. One of those is who will start along the back line. We’ll find out soon enough, and it will be interesting to see what Hines decides.
Orlando Pride
Orlando Pride Sign Zambian Forward Prisca Chilufya
Pride add to their attack by signing Zambian international Prisca Chilufya from FC Juarez.

The Orlando Pride announced today that the club has signed Zambian forward Prisca Chilufya to a three-year deal that runs through the 2027 season. She’s the third Zambian attacker to join the Pride in the last 10 months.
“We are thrilled to welcome Prisca to the Orlando Pride. Prisca is a dynamic forward who brings exceptional ability, speed, and a proven scoring record to our attack,” Orlando Pride Vice President of Soccer Operations and Sporting Director Haley Carter said in a club press release. “Her experience in both international competition with Zambia and her success in Liga MX Feminil demonstrates the kind of top-tier talent we’re committed to bringing to Orlando. She represents both immediate impact and long-term potential, and we believe she will thrive in our environment. Her three-year commitment reflects our shared vision for building something special. We can’t wait for our fans to see her take the pitch in purple.”
The 25-year-old attacker joins the Pride from FC Juarez in Mexico. Since joining the team in 2023, she’s made 48 appearances and scored 14 goals. She’s scored four goals this year in just over half a season.
“I am honored to be joining Orlando Pride, a club with such a strong vision and commitment to excellence in women’s soccer,” Chilufya said in the club’s release. “I’m excited to bring my experience and skills to the NWSL, which is one of the most competitive leagues in the world. The opportunity to play alongside such talented teammates and learn from the coaching staff here in Orlando is something I’ve dreamed about. I’ve watched as the Pride have been built something special, and I want to contribute to the team’s success both on and off the field.”
Before moving to Mexico, Chilufya played for Tomris Turan of the Kazakh Women’s Championship, making 14 appearances and scoring 18 goals during the 2022-2023 season. She moved to that club from fellow Kazakh club BIIK Kazygurt — which she helped win the championship in 2021.
On the international level, Chilufya has been a regular for Zambia since making her debut in the 2018 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations and qualifiers for the Tokyo Olympics. She took part in all three of Zambia’s games in the 2024 Paris Olympics, serving as an alternate for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Most recently, she played in the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
What It Means for Orlando
This signing comes on the heels of the Pride transferring Brazilian star Adriana to the Saudi Women’s Premier League. It’s not surprising the club made a move to bring in an attacker and that the player was Zambian.
Chilufya is the third Zambian international the Pride have signed in the last year. It started with the acquisition of striker Barbra Banda, who quickly became a focal point of the Pride’s attack. Then they signed Grace Chanda, whose injury during the Olympics has thus far kept her from making her Pride debut.
The impact Chilufya will make on the team is unknown, but it won’t be easy to break into the lineup. With Adriana gone, Chanda will likely move into the attacking midfield if she’s healthy. Meanwhile, the club re-signed club captain Marta to a new two-year deal, and she’ll obviously play the 10 role. Julie Doyle and Summer Yates both played on the left side in 2024 and are expected to continue sharing responsibility there in 2025. Such competition for a starting spot can only help the club, pushing all of these attackers to develp their game.
Regardless of which players seize a starting spot, the Pride have added depth, something Carter continually tries to do. Head Coach Seb Hines will have plenty of choices in an attacking midfield that can be devastating to NWSL defenses at times. It’s a good move for the Pride after losing a key piece in the attack.
Orlando Pride
Orlando Pride Transfer Adriana to Saudi Side Al Qadsiah FC
The club has secured one of the highest transfer fees in NWSL history for the Brazilian attacker after she requested a transfer.

The Orlando Pride announced today that the club has secured a club-record transfer fee from Al Qadsiah FC of the Saudi Women’s Premier League in exchange for Brazilian international attacking midfielder/forward Adriana. The club announced that the sale was one of the three highest in NWSL history, with Jeff Kassouf of The Equalizer reporting the fee as $500,000.
“We are incredibly grateful for Adriana’s contributions to the club, and while we will miss her presence both on and off the pitch, we are happy to support her in this next chapter of her career,” Orlando Pride Vice President of Soccer Operations and Sporting Director Haley Carter said in a club press release. “At the Pride, we believe in empowering our players to pursue opportunities that align with their personal and professional goals. The record transfer fee we received reflects both Adriana’s exceptional talent and our commitment to building mutually beneficial relationships in the global transfer market. These resources will help us continue to attract world-class talent to Orlando as we build for the future. We wish Adriana all the best and she will always be part of the Pride family.”
The move, which was requested by Adriana, comes shortly after the start of training camp as the Pride prepare to defend their NWSL Shield and NWSL Championship titles.
“I want to thank the Orlando Pride, my teammates, and especially our amazing fans for making Orlando feel like home,” Adriana said in the club’s release. “This club gave me an incredible opportunity to grow as a player and person, and I will always be grateful for my time here. The Pride organization has been very supportive of my desire to take on this new challenge overseas. They worked hard to make this move possible while ensuring it benefited everyone involved. Orlando will always hold a special place in my heart, and I look forward to watching the club continue to grow and succeed.”
The Pride signed Adriana almost exactly two years ago on Jan. 19, 2023, from Brazilian giants Corinthians. That deal was through the 2025 season, meaning her contract would have been up at the end of this year. As Orlando typically extends players’ deals before they expire, the timing makes some sense, despite it happening during the Pride’s preseason.
In two seasons with Orlando, Adriana was a key player for the Pride with the versatility for Seb Hines to deploy her in multiple ways. She was primarily used as a winger during her time in Orlando, appearing in 46 NWSL regular-season games with 38 starts, logging 3,333 minutes. She scored six goals and added four assists, sharing the team lead in those categories in 2023. Her contributions in 2024 raised her career regular-season totals with the Pride to 12 goals and five assists across two seasons.
Adriana appeared in all three of the Pride’s playoff games during her stay in Orlando, starting two and logging 197 minutes. She did not make a goal contribution, attempting six shots with only one of those hitting the target. She tallied five key passes and one successful long ball in the Pride’s run to the title.
Additionally, the Brazilian made one appearance in the NWSL Challenge Cup, playing just eight minutes off the bench in 2023 without a goal contribution. She was on international duty during four of the Pride’s six matches in that competition. Adriana was away at the Olympics during the NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup, so she did not play in that competition.
What It Means for Orlando
Losing a player of Adriana’s caliber does not make a team better, but the club got a big return for an attacking piece that had started splitting time with Summer Yates during Orlando’s final stretch of the season in 2024. The Pride’s younger players are starting to demand more minutes with their performances, and while the team’s depth takes a hit with Adriana’s departure, the club has the resources to find a roster replacement.
Someone will have to replace Adriana’s six goals per year. Yates scored five in her second season in the league, but a jump to 11 in her third year seems unrealistic. However, more minutes for Yates may mitigate some of Adriana’s lost offense. Others who can contribute to replacing those goals include Grace Chanda, Simone Charley, Ally Watt, and Julie Doyle. The first two on that list are talented, but still have yet to play their first game for the Pride. It’s also conceivable that Barbra Banda can score more goals in her second NWSL season.
In Adriana, the Pride also lost one of the team’s better penalty takers. Adriana was two-for-two from the spot in 2024. Someone else will need to step up and take up the secondary penalty-taker role (to Marta) in 2025.
-
Opinion1 week ago
Orlando City’s Lack of Off-Season Signings Starting to Become a Concern
-
Orlando Pride1 week ago
Orlando Pride Transfer Adriana to Saudi Side Al Qadsiah FC
-
Orlando City2 weeks ago
Orlando City vs. Atletico Mineiro, FC Series: Final Score 0-0 (6-5) as Lions Open the Preseason Schedule Strong
-
Photo Galleries2 weeks ago
USMNT vs Costa Rica: Photo Gallery
-
Lion Links2 weeks ago
Lion Links: 1/28/25
-
Orlando City3 days ago
Orlando City Signs Croation Winger Marco Pasalić as a Designated Player
-
Orlando Pride1 week ago
Orlando Pride Sign Zambian Forward Prisca Chilufya
-
Orlando City B1 week ago
Orlando City Signs Goalkeeper Carlos Mercado to a New Contract