Pride Transfer Goalkeeper Sofia Manner to AFC Toronto

The Sofia Manner era with the Orlando Pride is over. Orlando transferred the Finnish goalkeeper today to AFC Toronto of Canada’s top flight, the Northern Super League, for an undisclosed fee.  

“This move offers an all-around win for Orlando and Sofia, and we are thrilled for her new opportunity at AFC Toronto,” Orlando Pride Vice President of Soccer Operations and Sporting Director Haley Carter said in a club press release. “This transfer allows her to compete for more consistent playing time, while also contributing to the growth of women’s soccer in North America. Sofia will always be a member of our Pride family, and we want to thank her for everything she contributed on and off the pitch during our historic 2024 season.” 

The Pride signed Manner, 27, for an undisclosed fee from Finnish top flight side FC Honka on Dec. 1, 2023. At the time, Manner’s acquisition gave the Pride four goalkeepers under contract — along with Anna Moorhouse, Carly Nelson, and Kaylie Collins — and Carter indicated at that time that she expected a battle for the starting spot between the Finn and Moorhouse.

“Sofia is a tremendous addition to our goalkeeping corps and one we expect to challenge for the starting position,” Orlando Pride Vice President of Soccer Operations and General Manager Haley Carter said. “She brings an underdog mentality and gritty work ethic and fits every aspect of the profile we have built for our goalkeepers. Her size, aerial ability, shot-stopping prowess, and distribution are world class. She brings international experience and has led the Kansallinen Liiga in nearly every goalkeeping metric. Her nominations for Goalkeeper of the Year and Best Player are indicative of her winning mentality and drive to be the best. We are excited to bring her to Orlando and to give her an opportunity to prove herself in our environment and in the NWSL.” 

Manner’s signing led to Nelson’s departure just 11 days later, as the Pride sent the backup goalkeeper to the Utah Royals on Dec. 12, 2023, along with $65,000 in Allocation Money, in exchange for an international roster spot. Orlando entered the 2024 season with three goalkeepers under contract, but Collins was on loan in Australia with Western Sydney Wanders. Former Pride practice player McKinley Crone was signed through the 2024 season on March 11, 2024, and the club subsequently waived Collins on April 16. Crone ultimately claimed the primary backup spot to Moorhouse, leaving Manner out of the match day squad.

If Manner was ever truly close to securing a top-two spot at Orlando’s goalkeeper position, it never materialized publicly. Moorhouse started every NWSL match in the regular season and playoffs, playing every minute and achieving ironwoman status. Crone dressed as Moorhouse’s backup. Although the Pride were set at the position following the team’s NWSL Championship in November, Orlando signed former Portland Thorns backup Kat Asman to a two-year contract through the 2026 season on Dec. 11, 2024. Once again, Orlando had four keepers under contract, and it always seemed likeliest that Manner would be the player departing from that point, which has now happened.

Manner made only one appearance during her stay in Orlando. She started and went the distance in Orlando’s second game in the NWSL x Liga MX Femenina Summer Cup, a home match against CF Monterrey on July 28. The contest ended in a 2-2 draw before the Pride won 5-4 in penalties in the ensuing shootout. She played 90 minutes, allowing two goals and making three saves, for a 60% save percentage. She only faced seven non-blocked shots, but five of them were on target. The Helsinki native completed 16 of 21 passes (73%), including four of 10 long balls. Following the draw, Manner made the difference in the shootout, stopping a shot by Merel Van Dongen, who was the only player of the 10 shooters not to convert. The Pride claimed the extra point in the Summer Cup standings as a result.

What It Means for Orlando

With Manner’s departure, Moorhouse is currently written in Sharpie on Seb Hines’ list of starters whenever she’s healthy. Crone and Asman will battle for the primary backup role, but would likely only play in case of an injury or during a non-league competition like the Summer Cup and in preseason. Even the NWSL Challenge Cup is a likely start for Moorhouse, as there will be a trophy on the line and it is a competitive tuneup for the 2025 NWSL regular season.

Moorhouse has had some shaky moments in her Pride career — even as recently as the 2024 NWSL playoffs against Chicago — but she has limited those over the last year. The hope is that she will continue to improve the areas in which she has sometimes struggled, which include her decisions on when to come off her line to intervene in a play or when and how to deal with high crosses. She can also sometimes struggle with spilling her catch attempts, whether on crosses or shots. However, as stated above, she cut down significantly on those errors in 2024, and helped the Pride concede the fewest goals in the NWSL.

Manner’s departure makes her lone game in purple stand out, and barring a return it will be her final legacy as a Pride player. Orlando is positioned well at goalkeeper in terms of numbers, although not experience, behind Moorhouse. Asman has yet to make her professional debut after being drafted No. 39 overall by the Thorns ahead of the 2024 season. Crone, however, was at least impressive in her lone 2024 match, which was a 1-1 draw in the Summer Cup, and a pair of saves in the subsequent shootout loss at North Carolina.