Orlando Pride
2025 Orlando Pride Season in Review: Simone Charley
The striker returned from injury to contribute her first goal for the Pride.
The Orlando Pride signed Simone Charley on Jan. 24, 2024 on a deal through the 2025 season, though she got injured during the preseason last year, which kept her off the pitch until this season. She returned this season from back-to-back Achilles injuries and was able to contribute to the Pride during the second half of the season, helping the team finish in the top four of the league on a team that sorely needed attacking players. Charley’s leadership also shone through down the stretch.
Let’s look back at Charley’s second season in Orlando — but the only one so far in which she played any minutes.
Statistical Breakdown
In NWSL play, Charley appeared in nine regular season matches (one start) and logging a total of 219 minutes. She scored one goal but did not record an assist. The veteran attempted 15 shots putting two on target and completed 68% of her 25 passes on the season with two key passes. Defensively, she finished with two tackles, one interception, committed five fouls, drew seven, and earned one yellow card.
In the playoffs, Charley appeared in both matches off the bench, logging 43 minutes. She did not score a goal, nor did she provide any assists. The veteran attempted two shots, putting neither on target, and completed four of her six passes (66.7%) with one key pass. Defensively, she finished with one tackle and one clearance, did not commit a foul, drew one on the opposition, and was not booked.
Charley did not appear in the 2025 Challenge Cup, however, she appeared in three matches in the Concacaf W Champions Cup, starting two and playing 152 minutes. She completed eight of nine passes (88.9%) without a key pass, recorded two tackles on the defensive end, committed three fouls and drew one on the competition, and was not booked.
Best Game
Charley only started one match, but it wasn’t her best game. She also was named Player of the Match on SkoPurp Soccer: An Orlando Pride Pawedcast three times by Michael Citro and myself. The best of those was the 1-1 away draw on Oct. 3 against Houston. Charley scored the tying goal — her first in three years — to salvage the point for the Pride.
She may have only played 22 minutes, but her goal was as important as it was emotional for her and her teammates. She took two shots in the match with the one on target, and she completed her only pass (100%) in the match. She did not commit any fouls and was not booked. It was a great moment for Charley and her teammates.
2025 Final Grade
Charley just barely cleared the minimum required 400 minutes played (414 in all competitions) to qualify for a rating in 2025. The Mane Land staff award Charley a composite rating of 6 out of 10 in her first season getting minutes on the pitch with the Pride. The energy level noticeably jumped whenever she was on the field, even if she showed signs of her understandable rust on the shot or final pass around the goal. Her leadership was evident as well, as she could be seen urging her teammates on both on the sideline and on the pitch. Without the veteran’s presence, it’s possible the Pride could have been on the road in the postseason or not made the playoffs at all.
2026 Outlook
Charley is out of contract, but I do expect her to return in 2026. She is a veteran that was starting to get more minutes after coming back from injury. I think that she offers experience and a good presence off the bench, though she could also start competing for starting minutes if she can regain her scoring form. She has a great attitude and it is obvious her teammates want to play with and for her. Assuming she is able to stay healthy, I feel the club will be willing to sign her to a new deal for the 2026 season.