Orlando Pride Sign Midfielder Thais Reiss to One-Year Deal

The Orlando Pride announced the signing of midfielder Thais Reiss this afternoon to a one-year contract with an option for an additional year, potentially keeping her in Orlando through the 2024 season. Reiss spent part of the 2022 NWSL season with the Pride, but wasn’t re-signed and passed through the waiver process unclaimed in the off-season. She’ll be available after her P-1 Visa is received.

“We’re very excited to welcome Thais back, officially, as a member of the Pride,” Pride Vice President of Soccer Operations and General Manager Haley Carter said in a club press release. “Thais has earned this contract through her hard work, day in and day out, on the training field. We’re looking forward to having her bring even more competition to our midfield and add another exciting skill set to our roster.”

Reiss initially joined the Pride as a training player at the beginning of last season, eventually earning a contract on June 11. She made five appearances in 2022 with two starts and played 152 total minutes without any goals or assists. Despite her lack of playing time, she was on the team sheet in every game from her signing until the end of the season.

The Brazilian was waived after the 2022 season, but passed through the waiver wire unclaimed, allowing the Pride to bring her back as a non-roster invitee this preseason. The 23-year-old midfielder saw extensive playing time during the preseason, including 45 minutes against the Kansas City Current and Florida State and the full 90 minutes against UCF.

Prior to joining the Pride, Reiss made 77 appearances (73 starts), scoring 42 goals and providing 18 assists at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville. Her goal tally is second in UNF history. She was named ASUN All-Conference First Team and ASUN Player of the Year in 2020. Additionally, she represented Brazil at the U-17 Women’s World Cup in 2016 and the U-20 Women’s World Cup in 2018.

What It Means for Orlando

The NWSL’s new collective bargaining agreement requires that teams carry 22 players and allows rosters up to 26 players. The retirement of forward Leah Pruitt yesterday opened up a spot on the Pride roster, enabling the team to sign Reiss.

Primarily an attacking midfielder, Reiss currently sits behind several other players. However, Marta is coming back from an ACL tear last season and is currently dealing with a hamstring problem. Erika Tymrak took her spot in the starting lineup last weekend and Reiss likely won’t usurp her position, but it might provide an opportunity to come off the bench.

Additionally, the NWSL Challenge Cup has been moved to the midseason, forcing teams to play more midweek games. Pride Head Coach Seb Hines might give some of his key players some rest during that tournament, allowing Reiss to receive some starts.

Similar to the recent signings of forward Amanda Allen and defenders Tori Hansen and Brianna Martinez, this one-year deal provides some depth on the Pride roster. Reiss’ experience with the team last year and early this year will also help because she’s played under Hines and with these players, so she won’t have to get used to a new team. As a result, we’ll probably see her on the team sheet soon.