Orlando Pride’s Recent Success Provides Flexibility in Roster Building

The Orlando Pride went into full rebuild mode following the 2021 NWSL season, parting with veterans like Alex Morgan, Ashlyn Harris, and Ali Krieger. A combination of signings, trades, and draft selections has seen the team go from bottom dwellers with little hope to a potential playoff team. The club quickly re-signed multiple key players and added some internationals, ensuring they have a quality starting lineup before preseason begins. These moves have given Pride fans optimism for the future and provided flexibility for the front office.

The Pride’s rebuild got off to a rocky start when they drafted UCLA forward Mia Fishel with the fifth overall pick in the 2022 NWSL Draft. Fishel never signed with the club, moving to Mexico instead. It got worse when newly appointed head coach Amanda Cromwell was suspended, along with her assistant, Sam Greene, while an investigation ensued about allegations of retaliatory conduct. She was replaced by the only member of staff remaining in Seb Hines, who had never held such a position. The former Orlando City center back turned out to be a great fit and he was named head coach after the season.

Following the disciplinary actions and appointment of Hines, the club hasn’t put a step wrong. The Pride signed Brazilian international Adriana, who had an MVP-caliber debut NWSL season, and had arguably their best draft in team history in 2023. The first two picks, Emily Madril and Messiah Bright, were NWSL Rookie of the Year candidates, showing they’ll likely be an essential part of this team for years to come.

The successful moves by Hines and Vice President of Soccer Operations and General Manager Haley Carter have provided the additional benefit of giving the club some flexibility. Prior to last season, the team had to hit on draft picks and signings to improve. However, the Pride came into this off-season with nearly an entire starting lineup intact and depth at multiple positions. They added to that in December by bringing in Brazilian international midfielders Angelina and Luana. As a result, the club has been able to take risks and draft players for the future rather than the present.

The main risk the Pride took this off-season was trading an international slot for Kansas City Current defensive midfielder Morgan Gautrat. The former Chicago Red Star had signed a two-year deal with the Current last off-season, but has missed significant time the past two years with injuries. Adding to the risk is her position, as the Pride already have an injury-prone defensive midfielder in Viviana Villacorta. There’s not too much risk, as the Pride didn’t give up much to get Gautrat (and some Allocation Money), but taking a chance on a veteran like Gautrat was made possible by the success so far under Hines and Carter.

Gautrat is a high-risk, high-reward signing. She’s won a pair of FIFA Women’s World Cups with the USWNT and can be a world-class midfielder when she’s healthy. However, she’s struggled to stay on the field, a major reason why she hasn’t been part of the national team in recent years. It could be a significant acquisition if she can stay healthy but possibly a wasted roster spot if not.

The reason why the Pride were able to make such a trade is the depth they have in the midfield. The club expects Villacorta to return from a torn ACL suffered last season, her second since being drafted by the Pride in 2021. Regardless, they’ve brought in players who can fill those roles at a high level, enabling them to take a chance with Gautrat.

The success in building the roster also allowed the Pride to draft for development rather than immediate production. Last season, the club needed players who could slide right into the starting lineup. They hit on their first- and second-round picks, as Madril played almost every minute of the 2023 season as center back and Bright was a headache for defenders around the league.

This year, the club wasn’t concerned about bringing in players through the draft that would produce, as there isn’t room in the starting lineup for them anyway. Instead, they focused on potential. Ally Lemos is a 19-year-old midfielder who left UCLA after her sophomore year and was selected ninth overall by the Pride. She was widely projected to be a high first-round pick, but it remains to be seen whether the fourth-youngest player ever selected in the NWSL Draft is ready for the jump to the professional game. Fortunately, she’ll be able to learn from some of the best midfielders in the world before experiencing the higher level of professional soccer.

The second selection by the Pride was Cori Dyke, taken 22nd overall. The former Penn State Nittany Lion spent her first four collegiate years as a central midfielder before moving to center back last year. Despite it being her first season at the position, she was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. Players with versatility like Dyke are highly coveted by Hines and Carter, but whether she’ll be ready for 2024 is questionable.

While the Pride have built depth in the midfield, they could use more central defenders. Rafaelle and Madril will be the starters and veteran Megan Montefusco will come off the bench. Carrie Lawrence is also returning, but she’s coming off an ACL tear last preseason that kept her out for the entire year. For this reason, Dyke might be most needed on the back line. While she was excellent in the role last year, the NWSL is a much higher level for a player with limited experience.

A year ago, the Pride would’ve needed signings and draft picks to contribute immediately as they look to build a playoff caliber roster. However, the recent success of newly acquired players has enabled them to take some risks and select players for the future. They’ve taken that opportunity with their most recent decisions without threatening a possible playoff run. More than anything, it’s an indication of how well the Pride’s rebuild has gone despite its poor start.