2023 Orlando Pride Season in Review: Thais Reiss

Thais Reiss joined the Orlando Pride as a non-roster invitee during preseason in 2022, training with the team until she was signed on June 11. The club didn’t re-sign her during the off-season and the 23-year-old midfielder passed through the waiver process unclaimed. The University of North Florida product signed a new one-year contract with the Pride on April 7 that included an option for an additional year.

Let’s take a look at the Brazilian’s second season in Orlando.

Statistical Breakdown

Reiss didn’t make any appearances in the NWSL regular season, though she was on the bench for five games. Her three appearances and one start this year came in the Challenge Cup, totaling 90 minutes of action. She didn’t score a goal, take any shots, or record any assists, completing one key pass in her three games. Of her 16 total passes, 36.8% were completed in the attacking half and 71.4% were completed in the defending half. On the defensive end, Reiss won five of her 14 duels (35.7%) and her only aerial duel. She won one foul and conceded five, but wasn’t booked this year.

Best Game

Reiss only played for 12 minutes in two of her three appearances, so it’s no surprise that her lone start was her best game. The Pride lost 4-2, but the midfielder positively impacted the performance. In the 10th minute, she whipped a curling corner kick into the six-yard box that was eventually knocked in by center back Tori Hansen.

Reiss completed 11 of her 18 pass attempts in the game (64%), including eight of 10 in the defensive half and three of seven in the attacking end of the field. She didn’t take any shots or record any assists in the game before being replaced by Erika Tymrak in the 66th minute.

2023 Final Grade

Reiss didn’t play enough minutes to qualify for a grade this year, resulting in an incomplete for the 2023 NWSL season from The Mane Land staff. She only made three appearances and played 90 minutes, well short of the required 360 minutes to receive a grade.

2024 Outlook

Reiss signed a one-year contract prior to the 2023 season with an option for an additional year. Pride Vice President of Soccer Operations and General Manager Haley Carter and Head Coach Seb Hines will have to decide whether to pick up the option or allow Reiss to search for playing time elsewhere. At 23 years old, Reiss still has time to develop, so she could return for 2024. But the team’s off-season signings will likely impact whether there’s enough room for her.

If the Brazilian doesn’t sign with another NWSL team, she could return as she did in 2022, training with the team. Four internationals currently play on the Pride and the team will have to sign National Team Replacement Players in their absence in an Olympic year. That could be a role for Reiss next season.

Previous Season in Review Articles (Date Posted)

• Kaylie Collins (10/23/23)
• Amanda Allen (10/24/23)
• Celia (10/25/23)
• Brianna Martinez (10/26/23)