A 2026 Wish List for Orlando City and the Orlando Pride

Happy new year, Mane Landers. So many people make resolutions at the beginning of the year, but we know how most of them turn out. However, I am supportive of the idea that people want to make changes for the good. I am also supportive of the clubs I support making changes for the good. Here is my wish list for Orlando City and the Orlando Pride for 2026.

My Kingdom for a Keeper

Don’t get me started on the Carlos Coronel saga. On The Mane Land PawedCast I spoke about how good a signing this was for the club. By the time the podcast dropped, it had all gone sideways. Now the club is searching for a new starting keeper. The timing of it all meant that other potential keepers like Sean Johnson were unavailable. Rumor is that Orlando City is signing Canadian international Maxime Crépeau. This is a potential downgrade from Gallese, and I’d argue from Coronel as well. I hope that he proves me wrong if he is signed.

Offensive Firepower

In 2024, the Orlando Pride scored 46 goals, winning the NWSL Shield. In 2025, the Pride only scored 33 goals in the regular season. While the loss of Barbra Banda to injury was a big factor in the drop in production, it went deeper than her absence. My hope for 2026 is to see Banda return from injury and to prime scoring form. Additionally, I want Jacquie Ovalle to make her final adjustments to the league and show why the Pride spent so much cash for her to be here. Having both of them on the pitch at the same time might make both things happen.

Fresh Legs for Captains

Robin Jansson is 34 years old. Marta will be 40 when the new season commences. Both players dealt with injuries last season, and just maybe were not 100%. Jansson in particular was obviously playing hurt near the end. Neither had a bad season, but both were better in 2024, and neither of them is getting any younger. I’m hoping for a revival for both of the captains in 2026. I don’t need them to be Best XI, though that would be nice. I’ll settle for injury-free seasons and stats closer to 2024 than 2025.

Full-Time Freeman

Alex Freeman will be moving on from Orlando City at some point. I just don’t want that point to come too soon. Ideally for the club — and perhaps Freeman — he will get another full season in Orlando. This will allow him to get consistent playing time before an almost certain USMNT call-up for the World Cup. It will also help Orlando City earn as many points as possible before the break. It’s possible he leaves in the January window, but I don’t think it likely. Chances of his departure increase in the summer transfer window, but I’m hoping that the European clubs hold off until 2027.

A Big Hire

The last thing on my list is a big one, and perhaps the most difficult. The departure of Haley Carter leaves a big hole in the leadership structure of the Pride. Carter was a instrumental in rebuilding the club and installing a solid team culture. Now, ownership and Jarrod Dillon have an incredibly important task in finding the right person to fill that role. Fortunately, this is now a very attractive position. The Pride have most of the pieces needed to be competitive at the highest level. Finding someone who can integrate into the current structure while also bringing something new and fresh to the table is key.

Those are the things I’m hoping for in 2026. Let me know what else you want for the new year in the comments. Vamos Orlando.