Orlando Pride Sign Defender Brianna Martinez to New Two-Year Deal

The Orlando Pride announced this afternoon that the club has agreed to a new two-year contract with defender Brianna Martinez. The deal will keep the right back in purple through the 2025 NWSL season.

“We’re excited to keep Bri in Orlando through next season,” Pride Vice President of Soccer Operations and General Manager Haley Carter said in a club press release. “She invested in herself in the off-season and has demonstrated she can step up and perform when called upon. She’s been a reliable contributor at every opportunity presented to her. Since joining us in 2023, she’s provided a spark when coming off the bench and has excelled when it’s been her time to start in the back line. She’s enthusiastic to play any role asked of her, competes every day in training, and challenges those around her to do the same. She’s earned this new contract with her commitment to growth and her consistent performances day-in and day-out, and we’re thankful she wants to continue building with us.”

Martinez was selected by Racing Louisville with the 17th overall pick in the 2023 NWSL Draft. The Notre Dame product joined the Pride during the 2023 preseason as a non-roster invitee, eventually making the team. She played in eight regular-season games off the bench last year, recording 49 minutes. Additionally, she played in four NWSL Challenge Cup games (three starts), recording 301 minutes. The second-year player has made a much more significant impact this season, often starting at right back. She’s played 12 games this year (eight starts) and recorded 696 minutes.

“I am beyond thrilled to be staying in Orlando. I have already learned so much from my coaches and teammates, and I cannot wait to continue to grow as a player with such an amazing team,” Martinez said in the club’s release. “This is such a special environment and I’m so excited to continue to be a part of it. Vamos Pride!”

Prior to being selected in the 2023 NWSL Draft, Martinez was a key contributor at the University of Notre Dame. She captained the team during the 2021 and 2022 seasons, logging 1,476 minutes and recording two goals and two assists during her collegiate career. She was also selected to the U.S. U-23 National Team for the 2022 Thorns Preseason Tournament.

The Pride picked up Martinez’s contract option for 2024 during the off-season, meaning she would have been out of contract after this season. As has been club practice in recent years, Orlando has eliminated the need to negotiate a new deal in the off-season by signing Martinez early and extending her stay in the City Beautiful.

What It Means for Orlando

Pride Head Coach Seb Hines has made multiple positional moves this season, including shifting Kylie Strom from left back to center back, Emily Sams from center back to right back, Kerry Abello from attacking midfield to left back, and Haley McCutcheon from right back to defensive midfield. Martinez hasn’t been the first choice right back this season, but Rafaelle’s injuries and international absences have forced her into a starting role as Sams has shifted over to center back.

Rafaelle and Sams are signed through the 2025 NWSL season, so Martinez will likely continue in a reserve role. However, her signing ensures depth at that position. Given that she’s played in 12 games this season and started nine, Hines clearly trusts her in that role and will deploy her as the starting right back when needed.