Orlando Pride Signs Defender Megan Montefusco to New Contract

The Orlando Pride announced today that center back Megan Montefusco has agreed to a new contract through the 2024 NWSL season, with a club option that could keep her in purple through 2025.

“Orlando has become my home and I am so proud to continue wearing this crest, to represent this club and to play for this community,” Montefusco said in a club press release. “I simply love everything about the Pride – what we are building, my teammates and staff around me, and what lies ahead for us in the future – and I could not imagine being anywhere else. I can’t wait to continue working each day to bring a deserved championship to this club and city.”

Montefusco, 30, was acquired in a trade with the Houston Dash on Jan. 28, 2022, along with $30,000 in Allocation Money and OL Reign’s natural third-round pick in the 2023 NWSL Draft, in exchange for midfielder Marisa Viggiano. The UCLA product and Naperville, IL native is in her second season with Orlando after previously playing with the Washington Spirit, Newcastle Jets, Boston Breakers, Reign FC, and Houston.

She was brought in to help a porous back line, quickly becamse a starter, and has become a leader on the Pride defense over the last couple of seasons.

Montefusco has played in nine NWSL matches in 2023 (eight starts) and has not recorded a goal or an assist, recording two shots with one of those on target in 721 minutes on the pitch. Montefusco also started in her lone appearance in the 2023 NWSL Challenge Cup this season, logging 90 minutes.

In the 2022 Challenge Cup, Montefusco made five appearances (all starts) for a total of 450 minutes. She took one shot, which she put on target, but recorded no goals or assists. Montefusco completed 158 of her 208 passes for a 76% passing rate, and completed 24 of her 54 long passes (44.4%). She did not have a key pass or a cross attempt. Defensively, she made 14 clearances, eight interceptions, and five blocks, and won 19 of her 36 duels (52.8%), but just three of 12 aerial duels (25%). Montefusco committed three fouls, suffered four fouls, and earned one yellow card.

In the 2022 regular season, Montefusco made 21 appearances with 21 starts for a total of 1,861 minutes — the most starts and minutes on the team — playing mostly as a defender but also seeing time in the midfield. She took five shots with one on target and did not score or assist on a goal. She completed 787 of her 1,007 passes for a 78.2% passing rate, and completed 80 of her 184 long passes (43.5%). She also attempted two unsuccessful crosses and made five key passes. Defensively, she was successful on 13 of 22 tackles (59.1%), made 70 clearances, 31 interceptions, and 11 blocks. Montefusco won 76 of her 127 duels (59.8%) and 31 of 48 aerial duels (64.6%). Montefusco committed 15 fouls, suffered nine fouls, and earned seven yellow cards. 

“Megan has been a wonderful addition to the Pride since the minute she stepped foot in Orlando,” Pride Vice President of Soccer Operations and General Manager Haley Carter said in the club’s press release. “Her skills on the field, as well as her leadership in the locker room, have set a great example for our players. She is a hard-working defender who manages our back line with composure and is an even better teammate off the field. We are so excited to be able to keep Megan here in Orlando and see her as a crucial piece to what we are continuing to build.”

The 13th overall selection by Washington in the first round of the 2015 NWSL Draft, Montefusco is in her ninth year in the league and has compiled 149 appearances, meaning she could play in her 150th league game Saturday night at North Carolina. As a member of the Dash during the 2020 season, Montefusco helped Houston win the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup.

What It Means for Orlando

Montefusco’s deal was set to expire at the end of 2023, albeit with an option for 2024. As has become the norm for the Pride, the club kicked the can for a year by signing a player early and now won’t have to revisit her status until the end of 2024, with the option of extending her through 2025.

This is a good bit of business for Orlando, as Montefusco provides experience and leadership to a young group of Pride defenders, and with her versatility she can slot into the central midfield when necessary. It is likely that Montefusco got a slight pay increase with this new deal as well. Although that was not disclosed, it is a logical assumption.