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Orlando Pride Summer Transfer Window: Notable Free Agents

A look at the Pride’s roster and which players could solidify Orlando’s title aspirations by joining this summer.

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6 months ago

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Image courtesy of Orlando Pride

The Orlando Pride are now 12 matches into the 2024 NWSL season, and they are performing at or near the highest levels seen in the club’s history. The Pride continue to pace the league, tied for first with the Kansas City Current, but continuous improvement is required to stay at the top. 

After the record-setting victory against the Portland Thorns, Marta summed up what it means to be top of the table, “we now look behind and see everyone running after us, so we just need to run [faster].”

The hard work of Orlando’s squad and coaching staff is showing on the field. Behind the scenes, Pride Vice President of Soccer Operations and General Manager Haley Carter is closely monitoring the contract situations of the top players in Europe as many seasons abroad come to a close. On that front, Carter and staff have hit the ground running this summer by securing the signature of Grace Chanda, a highly-talented Zambian attacking midfielder meant to add new dimensions to the Pride in front of goal. Even after this signing, there may be room on the roster within the salary cap to add more talent to this squad.

Current Roster and Rules

The NWSL has three key limits on roster construction by which each team must abide. The first is the salary cap, which sits at $2.75 million for 2024, double the limit from the year prior. Unfortunately, NWSL salary details are not typically reported publicly. One salary that is known is that of Barbra Banda, who earns a $525,000 annual salary after she arrived on the second-largest transfer fee in league history. Despite her price tag, the increased cap space from 2023 should leave additional room to add more top players to the roster. 

The second rule is that each team was given seven international roster slots at the beginning of 2024. The Pride gained an additional slot in a trade with Utah Royals FC that included Carly Nelson, bringing their total to eight. Six of these slots are currently occupied by Luana, Amanda Allen, Barbra Banda, Grace Chanda, Evelina Duljan, and Sofia Manner, leaving the Pride with two slots remaining. 

Lastly, the Pride are allowed 26 players on their active roster, a category that excludes certain players such as those with a season-ending injury (SEI). Of the 30 players on Orlando’s roster, four — Luana, Simone Charley, Megan Montefusco, and Viviana Villacorta — are on the SEI list. In the case of Villacorta, club training videos posted to social media hint that Pride fans might not have to wait too long for her return to action. 

Regardless of the seemingly full roster today, Carter and staff do have levers at their disposal to create room in the squad. They may choose to loan out players in need of minutes or mutually agree to terminate the contracts of players not in the club’s current or long-term plans.

Available Free Agents and Potential Roles

Because the Pride are playing so well, it is especially tricky to find the right players to sign to add depth or upgrade a starting role. However, there are a few areas that the club could target. Listed below are several high-profile, out-of-contract players that fit these roles.

Laura Freigang – Forward

The Orlando Pride attack is currently performing at a high level, and Banda is a big reason why. Since her debut, she has scored, assisted, or drawn a penalty for 13 of the Pride’s last 15 goals. However, there has been a lack of production when Banda is not on the pitch, as Sean Rollins recently wrote. Adriana has typically been an attacking focal point for the Pride, but she has been hampered by knocks and fitness this season. To make Orlando’s attack more resilient to these absences, someone like Laura Freigang would add more goal-scoring depth to the front line and help carry the load.

Freigang is a 26-year-old German international with 27 caps to her name. For the past four seasons, she has starred for Eintracht Frankfurt in the Frauen-Bundesliga, where she scored 48 times and assisted 15 times in 82 career appearances. She pairs these creation numbers with a 76.4% pass completion percentage, making her one of the better all-around forwards in Europe.

Prior to her time in Frankfurt, she played collegiately for Penn State, sharing an alma mater with current Pride players Kerry Abello and Cori Dyke. This familiarity with the U.S., as well as the increased finances available to NWSL clubs, can make playing in the States an appealing option for Freigang, as well as other players abroad. 

Julia Grosso – Attacking Midfielder

Orlando has played in a handful of different formations so far this season, sometimes to maximize a weakness that Head Coach Seb Hines sees in the opposition, and sometimes to cover gaps created by injury. The midfield has been the area of the pitch that has had to deal with the most absences, namely Luana’s season-ending illness and Angelina’s ongoing recovery from a knee injury. 

As mentioned above, the Pride have already signed Chanda to add depth and versatility to the midfield. From the club’s comments when she signed, it is obvious they view her as a gifted attacker that can cover multiple positions. If the Pride do not feel they are done reinforcing the midfield, they may take a long look at Julia Grosso.

Grosso is a 23-year-old Canadian who has just completed a three-year stint at Juventus in Italy, the same club from which the Pride signed Duljan. At Juventus, Grosso featured in 50 matches, scoring nine times. Despite her young age, she already has 63 appearances for Canada, but has fallen down the pecking order as of late and there have been rumors of her moving to the NWSL to be closer to home and national team scouts. 

Grosso’s passing and goal-scoring numbers are among the top for midfielders in Europe, though her defensive metrics show a player that prefers to join the attack. This profile could make her a different and intriguing option for Pride staff, depending on how they view the evolution of the midfield and the role of Chanda.

Lucy Bronze – Right Back

The Pride could improve their midfield depth in an unexpected way, by signing a new defender. In recent weeks, Hines has solved the issue of Orlando’s injured midfielders by pulling Haley McCutcheon from right back to defensive midfield and moving each member of the back line one position to the right to cover. This game of dominoes could be avoided altogether by adding another starting caliber right back and moving McCutcheon to the midfield on a more permanent basis. This could also shift the back line back to the left one space, allowing Abello to move forward.

One of the most exciting players in the world, Lucy Bronze, is out of contract at Barcelona and could be available, although she is sure to have many clubs interested in signing her. The 32-year-old English international was voted Best FIFA Women’s Player in 2020. For Barcelona, Bronze won just about every trophy possible in the past two seasons, including each of the last two UEFA Women’s Champions League, Liga F, and Spanish Supercopa trophies, as well as the most recent Copa de la Reina.

Despite all of the success, Barcelona is struggling to afford contract renewals for their top players, the same issue plaguing Barcelona’s men’s team. It is already rumored that U.S.-based clubs are interested in Bronze’s signature if she does not renew. Given that she could start for almost any club in the world, the Pride should do what they can to jump the queue for Bronze.

Sandra Panos – Goalkeeper

The last role that Orlando may consider adding is an additional goalkeeper to compete with Anna Moorhouse. While Moorhouse boasts four clean sheets and a 76% save percentage, she has been error prone in her time in Orlando, leading to crucial dropped points. 

In the winter window, the Pride signed Sofia Manner to the goalkeeper position, stating they “expect [her] to challenge for the starting position,” but she has yet to make an appearance for the club. McKinley Crone has been the bench option. Manner and Crone are on one-year deals, club options notwithstanding, so the goalkeeper position is one that will need attention soon.

It just so happens that another great Barcelona player is available due to the team’s financial constraints. To truly elevate Orlando’s goalkeeping core, 31-year-old Sandra Panos would be an excellent addition. Panos spent the last nine seasons in Catalonia, but local reports have hinted at interest from teams in the U.S., England, and Mexico. Similar to Bronze, a player of this caliber cannot be ignored when they are available. It just remains to be seen if a top club in the NWSL can entice the Spanish international to cross the Atlantic for a new opportunity.

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2024 Orlando Pride Season in Review: Summer Yates

Summer Yates made big improvements during her second professional season.

Published

23 hours ago

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December 9, 2024

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Image courtesy of Orlando Pride

The Orlando Pride drafted Summer Yates in the fourth round (39th overall) of the 2023 NWSL Draft. The former Washington Husky surprisingly dropped far enough for the Pride to select her, and she didn’t disappoint. The midfielder signed a two-year deal prior to her rookie season and took a big leap forward in 2024.

Let’s take a look at how Yates performed during her sophomore year.

Statistical Breakdown

Yates played in 25 of the Pride’s 26 games in the regular season, starting 17 and recording 1,334 minutes. She scored five goals — including her lone penalty on April 26 in Washington — and added a pair of assists. She put 10 of her 17 regular-season shots on target and completed 64% of her 409 passes. While she primarily played in an attacking role, the midfielder also helped defensively, recording 15 tackles and 10 interceptions. She committed 17 fouls, drew a whopping 38 on the opposition, and was not booked.

Yates earned a starting spot in Orlando’s NWSL playoff opener against the Chicago Red Stars, but suffered an injury in the 38th minute, requiring her removal. She didn’t start the final two games, coming off the bench in both. She made three total playoff appearances, recording 53 minutes. She didn’t have a goal contribution or take any shots, and completed 48% of her 23 passes. Defensively, she recorded two tackles while helping the Pride win the championship. She did not commit a foul in the postseason but suffered three, and she was not booked.

Yates played in all three of the Pride’s NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup games, starting in the first and third games while recording 141 minutes. She didn’t have any shots, goals, or assists, but completed 30 of her 42 passes (77%), including four long balls and 26 short passes. Defensively, the midfielder had three successful tackles and made one interception. She did not commit a foul, drew three on her opponents, and wasn’t booked.

Best Game

Yates had several solid performances this season, resulting in her seeing more minutes and starting a playoff game. However, her best performance was on June 21 in a 6-0 drubbing of the Utah Royals at Inter&Co Stadium. The win saw the Pride extend their unbeaten run to 15 games on the season and, despite the lopsided final score, Yates played a key role in the win.

Arguably the biggest moment of the game was when Yates scored in what Hines calls one of the “big five moments.” In the third minute of the first-half stoppage time, with the Pride only up 1-0, Yates and Barbra Banda pressured a short pass to Kate Del Fava, causing the defender to concede possession. Yates took control and calmly put the shot past goalkeeper Amanda Haught to give the Pride a 2-0 lead at halftime.

The attacking midfielder started, playing 80 minutes, and was effective offensively and defensively beyond scoring her goal. She was active throughout the game, touching the ball 44 times and completing 78% of her 18 passes. All three of her shots were on target and she contributed defensively, adding a season-high three tackles and two interceptions.

2024 Final Grade

The Mane Land staff gave Yates a composite grade of 6.5 out of 10 for the 2024 season, an improvement from her 5.5 grade last year. She only played in 10 league games last year while recording 108 minutes with no starts, but became a regular contributor this season. Her improvement was obvious and it’s now clear she was the steal of the 2023 draft. While she played well all season, the most important thing is her improvement. In only her second year, her development was obvious, showing she can be a key player for the Pride in the coming years.

2025 Outlook

Yates’ rookie contract was a two-year deal, running through 2024 with an option for 2025. Her play during the first half of the season resulted in a contract extension on July 11, keeping her in Orlando through 2025 with a mutual option for 2026.

The Pasco, WA native became a key player for the Pride during the 2024 season, playing almost every game and starting most of them. Her role on the team in 2025 will likely depend on what happens with Marta. If the Pride captain retires or the club decides not to bring her back, Yates might become a regular starter in the attacking midfield. Otherwise, she’ll likely have a similar role to this year, splitting time with Julie Doyle and starting when Marta or Adriana need a rest.

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2024 Orlando Pride Season in Review: Ally Watt

The speedy attacker earned a starting role for the playoffs to cap her best professional season to date.

Published

2 days ago

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December 8, 2024

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Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Jeremy Reper

The Orlando Pride originally acquired forward Ally Watt from OL Reign on Aug. 15, 2022 in exchange for $125,000 in Allocation Money. That November, she signed a new deal to keep her in Orlando through 2024. Back in July, in the midst of her second full season with Orlando, the 27-year-old signed another new contract through the 2025 season with a mutual option for an additional year.

After the Colorado Springs, CO native played just six matches with Orlando in 2022, she took on a bigger role in 2023, appearing in 19 games during the regular season, but started just six. Her role was similar in 2024, as she played in a lot of games but still only started sparingly. However, she started down the stretch when it mattered most, earning the confidence of Head Coach Seb Hines to keep her in the starting XI throughout the postseason.

Let’s take a look at what made 2024 Ally Watt’s best year in the league so far.

Statistical Breakdown

Watt made 21 appearances for the Pride in the NWSL regular season, starting nine times and playing 879 minutes. Her minutes were concentrated at the beginning and end of the year, as she started six of the first seven and two of the final three regular-season matches. She scored three goals on 22 shots with 14 on target. She also provided an assist. She completed 128 of her 215 passes (60%), four of which were key passes. She also chipped in on the defensive end with 15 tackles, four interceptions, and 30 headed duels. Watt was fouled 15 times on the season and committed the same number herself and was shown one yellow card.

Watt started two of the three NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup matches and came off the bench in the third match, playing 207 minutes in total. She did not record a goal as none of her three shots were on target, and she did not record an assist. The attacker completed 18 of her 39 passes (53%), and she also added three tackles. The speedy forward committed three fouls in the competition, suffered three, and was not booked.

Watt started all three of Orlando’s NWSL playoff matches, playing at her best to close the season. In 196 minutes, Watt attempted four shots (none target), but turned provider with three assists. In the playoffs, Watt completed 26 of her 37 pass attempts (70%). She also succeeded in two tackles in the NWSL Championship, her only tackles of the postseason. She committed three fouls but was not booked.

Best Game

Ally Watt had two goal contributions in a match twice this season. First, she scored one and assisted one in Orlando’s 4-1 victory over the Courage on May 1. Then, in the first round of the playoffs, she had two assists in the 4-1 win over the Chicago Red Stars on Nov. 8. Despite her role in these lopsided victories, her true best game of the season was the 3-2 victory over her former club, Seattle, in the final match of the regular season on Nov. 2. 

Against Seattle, Watt kick-started Orlando’s electric form in front of goal to close the season. While she thought she had assisted Barbra Banda for the first goal of the match in the second minute, the goal was ruled out due to Banda being offside. Instead, Watt was able to break the deadlock just seven minutes later by beating the goalkeeper one on one after she raced behind to receive a lovely ball from Summer Yates. 

This goal was not the only reason to pick this match as Watt’s best of the season. Against Seattle, she was heavily involved for the entire match, setting or tying her highest marks for the season in touches (40), completed passes (20), carries (22), and tackles (three). In hindsight, this match was key to turning Orlando’s fortunes at just the right time after the Pride had slumped to back-to-back losses after securing the NWSL Shield, and Watt was a huge part of making it happen. 

2024 Final Grade

The Mane Land staff gave Watt a composite grade of 6.5 out of 10 for the 2024 season, a solid improvement on her grade of 5.5 from the prior season. Early in the season, prior to the arrival of Banda, Watt played in an advanced attacking role but struggled with her shooting and final touches. After Banda arrived, her minutes dropped for the middle third of the season. Later in the year though, something clicked for Watt, whether from playing in a wider role or alongside a more conventional striker, and her form took off. Watt’s three postseason assists were vital to the Pride winning the NWSL Championship, and her grade reflects how she played at her best in the biggest matches.

2025 Outlook

As mentioned above, the 27-year-old played the best soccer of her career in 2024 and was rewarded with a contract extension through 2025 with a mutual option for 2026. She showed this year that she can compete for the starting role in the winger / wide attacking positions or back up Banda as a striker. Her speed and defensive work rate are valuable aspects to her game that should keep her in the regular rotation in 2025, even if new faces are added to the squad.

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2024 Orlando Pride Season in Review: Brianna Martinez

The right back played a more significant role during her second season in Orlando.

Published

3 days ago

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December 7, 2024

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Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Jeremy Reper

Brianna Martinez was drafted by Racing Louisville FC with the 17th overall pick of the 2023 NWSL Draft. After failing to impress in Kentucky, the defender became a non-roster invitee to camp with the Orlando Pride, earning a contract on March 29, 2023. The Pride picked up her option for the 2024 season, keeping her in purple for the club’s historic campaign.

Let’s take a look at how Martinez performed during her second season with the Pride.

Statistical Breakdown

Martinez claimed the starting right back position early in the season and held it until Emily Sams took over the role. She regained her starting spot when Sams had to move to her natural center back position to replace an injured Rafaelle, but lost it again when she suffered a non-contact injury in the Summer Cup.

The right back made 13 NWSL appearances this season with eight starts and recorded 696 minutes. She put her only shot on target, but didn’t score a goal or record any assists. The defender completed 196 of her 284 passes (71%), including a cross and 20 long balls, while turning the ball over 119 times. Defensively, Martinez won nine tackles at a 75% success rate while recording 14 interceptions and winning 18 headed duels. She committed 13 fouls, suffered eight, received a yellow card and was sent off once.

With Sams away at the Olympics, Martinez was expected to start all three NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup games. She started the first one on July 20 in North Carolina, but suffered a non-contact injury in the 73rd minute, walking off in tears. She completed 18 of her 26 passes (70%) in those 73 minutes and turned the ball over 14 times. She won one of her two tackles and her only headed duel before exiting the game. She did not commit or suffer a foul and wasn’t booked.

Martinez did not appear in the Pride’s postseason matches.

Best Game

Martinez was a regular starter early in the season, starting five straight games and playing 90 minutes four times between March 22 and April 26. However, the right back’s best game has to be in the 1-1 draw on June 7 away to San Diego Wave FC when she was a significant part of claiming a crucial away point and keeping the Pride undefeated.

Starting and playing 90 minutes, the right back touched the ball 53 times and completed 64% of her 30 pass attempts. She only won one tackle on the night, but recorded a season-high four interceptions, helping to keep the game even when the Wave were pushing forward. She also only recorded one foul in the game, something that has been a problem for the defender at times.

2024 Final Grade

After not playing enough minutes to get a grade in 2023, The Mane Land staff gave Martinez a composite grade of 5.5 for the 2024 season. She was a little inconsistent as a starter, but earned that spot when Sams was forced into the center back role. Unfortunately, she was out due to injury and Cori Dyke’s performance after being inserted into the lineup kept her on the sidelines. Despite the inconsistency, Martinez played well enough to earn a new contract and likely would’ve continued to start if Dyke hadn’t played so well.

2025 Outlook

After taking the starting right back position, Dyke didn’t give it up, starting throughout the championship run. However, the club likes the depth Martinez provides and rewarded the 24-year-old with a new two-year deal on June 24 that will keep her in Orlando through the 2025 season. Martinez will push Dyke for the right back starting spot, although Seb Hines will need to figure out if the club is best served by having Sams, Kylie Strom, and Rafaelle all on the pitch or just two of them. Regardless, Martinez provides another piece the club believes can be a starter.

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