Orlando Pride
2024 Orlando Pride Season in Review: Cori Dyke
The rookie out of Penn State ended up seizing a starting role down the stretch and was an important part of Orlando’s championship run.
The Orlando Pride selected Cori Dyke with the 22nd overall pick — their second pick — of the 2024 NWSL Draft. She was initially signed to a one-year deal, though the club saw enough early on to sign her to a new contract in July good through 2025. The Littleton, CO, native then earned the starting spot at right back halfway through the season and never looked back. Dyke went up against some of the best attackers in the NWSL and held her own time and again.
Let’s look back at her impressive, if a little surprising, first year with the Pride.
Statistical Breakdown
Dyke made 21 appearances in the Pride’s 26 NWSL regular-season games this season, starting 11 matches, coming off the bench in the other 10 matches, and recording 1,095 minutes. She didn’t score a goal, but she recorded an assist for her first goal contribution. The 24-year-old took one shot that was not on target and completed 425 of her 542 pass attempts (78%), recording one key pass (her assist), and two crosses. Defensively, Dyke made 20 tackles, 11 interceptions, and 23 headed duels. She also suffered four fouls, committed three fouls, and was booked once.
Dyke appeared in two of the Pride’s three matches in the NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup, starting in each and recording 180 minutes. She attempted one shot that was not on target and did not provide an assist. The attacker completed 81 of her 96 passes (85%) with two long balls and no key passes. Defensively, Dyke won one of her two tackle attempts (50%), committed one foul, and was not booked.
Dyke started all three of the Pride’s NWSL playoff matches this postseason, recording 254 minutes. She didn’t score a goal or provide an assist, nor did she take a shot. Dyke completed 79 of her 98 pass attempts (81%). Defensively, Dyke made four tackles, committed two fouls, and was booked once.
Best Game
I considered giving her performance in the 3-1 victory over the Houston Dash in September as her best match, since it included her only assist on the season. In case you don’t remember, it was a beauty of a service to Carson Pickett for the goal.
Ultimately, I think her best game was actually the 0-0 draw against the Kansas City Current two weeks before the Dash game. Dyke had the difficult task of defending both Temwa Chawinga and Debinha during this match. That is no easy thing for any defender, let alone a rookie.
In that match she completed 39 of 44 passes (89%), made one tackle, had one interception, and impressively did not earn a foul. Additionally, she earned Player of the Match from both myself and Michael Citro on SkoPurp Soccer: An Orlando Pride PawedCast for her performance. It wasn’t a great match by the Pride, but it did keep the undefeated streak alive, and Dyke was a big part of getting the result.
2024 Final Grade
The Mane Land staff gave Dyke a composite grade of 6.5 out of 10 for the 2024 season — a solid grade for a first-year pro. It took her half of the season to become a consistent starter, but once she did, she helped anchor the best defense in the NWSL. That’s not to say she was perfect, but given this was her rookie season, to do the job she did — especially down the stretch — was impressive. Dyke was a big part of the success of the Pride in 2024.
2025 Outlook
After Dyke won the starting right back position, she didn’t give it up. The new contract speaks volumes about what the club thinks of her current and potential level of play. She is the type of versatile player that Seb Hines loves. She held her own against some of the best attackers in the league and I expect she’ll be the starting right back unless Emily Sams is moved outside. Even then, she’ll still get plenty of playing time along the back line or in the midfield. She may get some competition from Brianna Martinez, who held the right back spot until a midseason injury took her out of action for several weeks. But the Pride are fortunate to have great depth at the position — a spot where Haley McCutcheon can also contribute.