Young Players Impacting the Pride’s Early Success

The Orlando Pride are off to a decent start to the 2024 NWSL season, claiming points in each of their first three games. The results can largely be attributed to the veteran Brazilian duo of Angelina and Marta. However, some younger players have shown development during the off-season and are playing key roles in the team’s successes.

The Pride depended on proven talent during the first six years of the team’s existence. But all they had to show for their marquee signings was a single playoff appearance in which they were dominated by the Portland Thorns. Instead, they spent most seasons near or at the bottom of the standings, leaving many to wonder why such big names couldn’t bring success to the club.

Following the 2021 NWSL season, the Pride made the unpopular decision to go through a full rebuild, parting with players like Alex Morgan, Ali Krieger, and Ashlyn Harris. They traded these assets for Allocation Money and draft picks. Despite some missteps, the club has used most of those assets wisely, building a young and promising team that nearly made the playoffs last year.

There were undoubtedly going to be growing pains with such a young team. Rookies were always going to have to be thrown into the deep end to see if they would sink or swim. It was something that Pride Head Coach Seb Hines expected when he accepted the permanent head coaching position prior to the 2023 campaign.

“Last year we had a lot of young players,” Hines said of the group. “And we had to rely on a lot of young players and guide them and make sure they were ready for this next step.”

The next step Hines refers to is bringing them on to make a difference. The only second-year player starting regularly this year will likely be defender Emily Sams, but others have made a difference as substitutes. In two of the first three games this year, 23-year-old midfielder Summer Yates and 19-year-old forward Amanda Allen have been an essential part of goals.

Both players joined the Pride last season, but in different ways. Yates went into the 2023 NWSL Draft as one of the top prospects, but the University of Washington product inexplicably fell to the fourth round where the Pride grabbed her. It was widely seen as possibly the steal of the draft and might very well be so.

A Canadian international, Allen was signed in April of last season. Despite her talent, the 19-year-old was seen as a project with a high ceiling if she developed properly. The two players saw little time on the field during their first NWSL season, combining for 13 appearances and 117 minutes.

While they didn’t have much experience, Hines and Pride Vice President of Soccer Operations and General Manager Haley Carter were bullish about the pair heading into the season. They felt both had progressed during the off-season and were ready to contribute significantly more than they did in 2023. It didn’t take Hines long to back up those words.

In the first game of the season against Racing Louisville FC and down a goal, Hines replaced Morgan Gautrat with Yates in the 70th minute and Julie Doyle with Allen in the 83rd minute. It didn’t take long for the pair to combine, helping the Pride to their first point of the season. In the 86th minute, Angelina’s free kick was flicked on by Allen, enabling Yates to get the final touch and put away the equalizing goal.

“Summer has put the effort in in the off-season,” Hines said about Yates after that game. “She’s had moments in the preseason where she’s had to come in and make a difference and today, she did exactly what we asked of her. Her effort and even her tenacity defending, which is probably not something she’s comfortable with, but to get the goal, the equalizing goal late in the game shows her worth and what we need for us to move forward.”

The following game at home against Angel City FC, it was Allen again making a difference. Down a goal late, the second-year Pride forward dribbled the ball with power into the Angel City box with time winding down. Madison Curry tipped it away, but Allen stayed with it and won a corner. Angelina’s ensuing set piece found Marta, who volleyed the ball inside the near post for the equalizing goal. While Marta got credit for the point, Allen’s contributions didn’t go unnoticed.

“She (Allen) wins the corner because of the qualities of trying to take players on and also never giving up,” Hines said about the play. “She could’ve easily given up, but she goes, wins it, goes again, and goes again, and wins the corner that ultimately gets us the point.”

Even when the duo aren’t directly involved in goals, they’re making a difference in games. Yates came on in the 72nd minute Friday night against the Chicago Red Stars in a 1-1 match, looking to find a winner. While the team had to settle for another draw, the midfielder made an immediate impact on the game, causing problems for the Chicago defense.

In the 76th minute, the midfielder beat her defender to get a hard shot off that was blocked by Alyssa Naeher. It was hit too well for the USWNT number one to catch it, enabling the Pride to shoot twice more. The play might’ve resulted in a second goal if not for a pair of sliding blocks by defender Natalia Kuikka.

A minute later, Yates was sent behind the Red Stars defense by Marta. She beat Kuikka to the ball and the veteran was forced to attempt a risky challenge. The controversial shoulder challenge saw Yates go to the ground. The video assistant referee called down for a review, which took over six minutes, before it was determined there wasn’t a foul. However, the speed and well-timed run by Yates caused the play that could’ve easily gone either way.

“We’re seeing the rewards of that off-season. She may have scored another goal today, who knows?” Hines said after Friday night’s draw. “But massive compliments to Summer and not just being a substitute, but being a game changer and coming on and making a difference.”

After narrowly missing out on a playoff appearance last year, the Pride are looking to qualify for the first time since 2017 and the second time in team history. They’re going to need quality play from substitutes to achieve that goal and Yates and Allen so far have brought that necessary quality.

In addition to what they provide this year, the duo provide even more reasons for Pride fans to be optimistic about the future. Marta might be in her last professional season, so the Pride could need an attacking replacement next season. While the club could sign a big name to replace the six-time FIFA World Player of the Year, they might have her replacement in Yates right now.

As for Allen, it’s difficult to tell where she’ll fit in in the future. The club recently signed Barbra Banda with the second-largest transfer fee in league history. But the Zambian international will spend time away on international duty and they Pride will need others to step up. The forward position is the last one Carter and Hines were looking to focus on and Allen’s performances can make improving the position easier.

The Pride’s rebuild hasn’t been easy with the team losing young talent and a high draft pick. Sams had an excellent season last year, showing a bright future, and this young attacking duo have shown more promise in their second seasons. If they continue to play as they have in their early appearances, they might lift the Pride to unforeseen heights.