Orlando Pride Veterans Showing Leadership During Key Absences

Marta and Kylie Nadaner have been the Orlando Pride’s undisputed team leaders over the past few seasons. The Brazilian is club captain and the American is vice captain, leading the team to its greatest heights in 2024. However, their recent absences have forced others to step up.

Nadaner has been out of action with an excused absence since Sept. 2, though she was with the team on the recent three-game road trip. Marta suffered a back injury that kept her out for three games before coming on as a substitute in Friday night’s 1-0 win over the Portland Thorns. As a result, the club needed other players to step up and take vocal leadership roles.

With the two most obvious leaders missing, that position fell into the hands of fellow veteran Haley McCutcheon. The 29-year-old defender and defensive midfielder has been in the NWSL since 2018 and has been a key part of the Pride’s starting lineup since joining the club in 2022. She also has experience as a leader for the Pride. McCutcheon captained the side seven times in 2023, five times in the league, and twice in the NWSL Challenge Cup.

Unsurprisingly, it was McCutcheon who captained the Pride during their tough three-game week where they defeated San Diego Wave FC 2-1 and drew 1-1 with the Houston Dash. The only game she didn’t wear the armband was against Club America in the Concacaf W Champions Cup, when Luana wore it for the second time in the competition.

McCutcheon continued her captaincy role in Friday night’s victory, though it will likely go back to Marta for Wednesday night’s pivotal Concacaf W Champions Cup clash with CF Pachuca.

“Obviously, Haley McCutcheon’s been carrying the armband,” Pride Head Coach Seb Hines said about his leader. ”And she’s been a real focal point in what we’ve done since the start of my managerial career.”

But she’s not the only one who’s met the challenge. While McCutcheon’s leadership was easily predicted, Simone Charley’s was less so. The 30-year-old striker joined the Pride prior to last season and has been out the majority of her stay with back-to-back major Achilles tendon injuries.

Similar to McCutcheon, Charley is a league veteran, playing with the Thorns from 2019 to 2021 and Angel City from 2021 to 2023. Her time in Portland saw her play with Christine Sinclair and at Angel City with former Pride leader Ali Riley.

Since returning to full health, Charley has been a key player off the bench, providing a spark to the team. But that’s not all.

Marta has typically been the player giving pregame speeches that catches everyone’s attention. But with the club captain injured, that role has fallen to Charley. Even when not starting, her passion has inspired her teammates and been shared on social media by the club’s communications team.

“Simone Charley has been brilliant since she’s got back into the team,” Hines said. “With her voice and the passion that she shows in her pregame talks, she has been really inspirational for everyone.”

The Pride have several young and newer players that play key roles in the team. You might think that could make it challenging to find vocal leaders. But, to the contrary, Hines says this team is full of leaders — in addition to McCutcheon and Charley — that were ready to step up and provide leadership.

“We’ve had players, Kerry Abello, there’s multiple players. Angelina’s captain of Brazil, Rafaelle, Em Sams, they all contribute,”he said. “When players are missing, other players have to step up. And that’s what everyone’s been seeing in recent games.”

Marta’s recent two-year contract ends after next season, and it’s unknown whether she’ll continue with the Pride or her professional career after 2026. Nadaner is also signed through 2026. When those two hang up their boots, the Pride will need others in the team that can take over leadership roles.

The last few games have shown that the Pride have several players willing and able to fill that role. Whether it’s McCutcheon wearing the armband, Charley’s motivational speeches, or others being vocal leaders on the field, it’s clear the Pride have plenty of leaders in their squad.