On January 12, Orlando announced Ian Fleming had joined from the Houston Dynamo and Dash group to become general manager of the Pride, filling the vacant role left by Erik Ustruck in January 2020.[2]
On February 25, the NWSL announced the list of federated players for the upcoming season. It included four Pride players: US internationals Ashlyn Harris, Ali Krieger and Alex Morgan all retained their status while Canadian goalkeeper Erin McLeod was given federated status for the first time since 2015 meaning she would no longer require an international roster slot.[3][4]
On April 5, U.S. Soccer and NWSL announced it would be trialing the new IFAB approved concussion substitutes rule allowing for two additional substitutions in each match to be used for players with suspected concussions.[5] The new rule was implemented on top of the increase from three to five "normal" substitutes carried over from the 2020 season.[6]
On April 21, Orlando Pride beat Washington Spirit 1–0 in the Challenge Cup, their first win since August 21, 2019, snapping a streak of 13 winless games in 609 days. The match also marked the first time Marta, Sydney Leroux and Alex Morgan all started a game for Orlando together since July 2018.[7]
As per the league schedule, NWSL teams were permitted to begin preseason activities on February 1, 2021.[11] Orlando Pride scheduled five preseason friendlies.[12]
Orlando Pride v Kansas City NWSL
March 3
Orlando Pride
0–1
Kansas City NWSL
Sanford, Florida
1:00 pm
Report
Strom-Okimoto 58'
Stadium: Sylvan Lake Park Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Stadium: Sylvan Lake Park Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Washington Spirit v Orlando Pride
March 20
Washington Spirit
Canceled
Orlando Pride
West Palm Beach, Florida
Note: Canceled following positive COVID-19 test within Washington Spirit squad.[13]
Orlando Pride v Florida State Seminoles
April 3
Orlando Pride
1–2
Florida State Seminoles
Sanford, Florida
1:00 pm
Kornieck 45'
3'
77'
Stadium: Sylvan Lake Park Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
National Women's Soccer League
The NWSL regular season will begin on May 15 and conclude on October 30. Six teams will qualify for the playoffs.[14]
Results summary
Overall
Home
Away
Pld
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Pts
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
4
3
1
0
6
3
+3
10
2
1
0
4
2
+2
1
0
0
2
1
+1
Last updated: May 30, 2021. Source: NWSLsoccer.com
Results by round
Round
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
Ground
H
A
H
H
A
H
A
A
H
H
A
H
A
A
H
A
A
H
H
A
A
H
A
H
Result
D
W
W
W
Position[a]
4
2
1
1
Updated to match(es) played on May 30, 2021. Source: NWSLsoccer.com A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss
^ORL's position at the end of the matchweek, not their match.
Results
Orlando Pride v Washington Spirit
May 16 1
Orlando Pride
1–1
Washington Spirit
Orlando, Florida
6:00 pm
Morgan 84'
Report
Hatch 74', 76'
Stadium: Exploria Stadium Referee: Karen Callado
North Carolina Courage v Orlando Pride
May 22 2
North Carolina Courage
1–2
Orlando Pride
Cary, North Carolina
7:00 pm
Hamilton 39'
McDonald 89'
Pickett 90+7'
Report
Leroux 36'
Morgan 79'
Viggiano 83'
Petersen 89'
Stadium: Sahlen's Stadium Referee: Alexandra Billeter
Orlando Pride v Portland Thorns
May 26 3
Orlando Pride
2–1
Portland Thorns
Orlando, Florida
7:00 pm
Morgan 22'
Leroux 46'
Harris 90+7'
Report
Charley 38', 42'
Salem 45+3'
Stadium: Exploria Stadium Referee: Laura Rodriguez
Orlando Pride v Kansas City NWSL
May 30 4
Orlando Pride
1–0
Kansas City NWSL
Orlando, Florida
6:00 pm
Morgan 16'
Jónsdóttir 37'
Report
McCain 37'
Weber 45'
Larroquette 62'
Stadium: Exploria Stadium Referee: Alyssa Nichols
Note: Marta was originally credited with the goal. It was review by the NWSL and awarded to Alex Morgan on June 1.[15]
Washington Spirit v Orlando Pride
June 6 5
Washington Spirit
v
Orlando Pride
Buzzard Point, Washington D.C.
2:00 pm
Stadium: Audi Field
Orlando Pride v Gotham FC
June 20 6
Orlando Pride
v
Gotham FC
Orlando, Florida
6:00 pm
Stadium: Exploria Stadium
Kansas City NWSL v Orlando Pride
June 23 7
Kansas City NWSL
v
Orlando Pride
Kansas City, Kansas
2:00 pm
Stadium: Field of Legends
Houston Dash v Orlando Pride
June 26 8
Houston Dash
v
Orlando Pride
Houston, Texas
8:30 pm
Stadium: BBVA Stadium
Orlando Pride v North Carolina Courage
July 4 9
Orlando Pride
v
North Carolina Courage
Orlando, Florida
6:00 pm
Stadium: Exploria Stadium
Orlando Pride v Racing Louisville
July 9 10
Orlando Pride
v
Racing Louisville
Orlando, Florida
7:00 pm
Stadium: Exploria Stadium
Portland Thorns v Orlando Pride
July 18 11
Portland Thorns
v
Orlando Pride
Portland, Oregon
10:30 pm
Stadium: Providence Park
Orlando Pride v OL Reign
July 24 12
Orlando Pride
v
OL Reign
Orlando, Florida
7:00 pm
Stadium: Exploria Stadium
North Carolina Courage v Orlando Pride
July 31 13
North Carolina Courage
v
Orlando Pride
Cary, North Carolina
7:00 pm
Stadium: Sahlen's Stadium
Chicago Red Stars v Orlando Pride
August 8 14
Chicago Red Stars
v
Orlando Pride
Bridgeview, Illinois
6:00 pm
Stadium: SeatGeek Stadium
Orlando Pride v Portland Thorns
August 14 15
Orlando Pride
v
Portland Thorns
Orlando, Florida
7:00 pm
Stadium: Exploria Stadium
Washington Spirit v Orlando Pride
August 22 16
Washington Spirit
v
Orlando Pride
Buzzard Point, Washington D.C.
5:00 pm
Stadium: Audi Field
Gotham FC v Orlando Pride
August 29 17
Gotham FC
v
Orlando Pride
Harrison, New Jersey
5:00 pm
Stadium: Red Bull Arena
Orlando Pride v Houston Dash
September 5 18
Orlando Pride
v
Houston Dash
Orlando, Florida
6:00 pm
Stadium: Exploria Stadium
Orlando Pride v Racing Louisville
September 11 19
Orlando Pride
v
Racing Louisville
Orlando, Florida
7:00 pm
Stadium: Exploria Stadium
OL Reign v Orlando Pride
September 26 20
OL Reign
v
Orlando Pride
Tacoma, Washington
7:00 pm
Stadium: Cheney Stadium
Chicago Red Stars v Orlando Pride
October 2 21
Chicago Red Stars
v
Orlando Pride
Bridgeview, Illinois
8:00 pm
Stadium: SeatGeek Stadium
Orlando Pride v Gotham FC
October 9 22
Orlando Pride
v
Gotham FC
Orlando, Florida
7:00 pm
Stadium: Exploria Stadium
Racing Louisville v Orlando Pride
October 16 23
Racing Louisville
v
Orlando Pride
Butchertown, Kentucky
7:30 pm
Stadium: Lynn Family Stadium
Orlando Pride v Chicago Red Stars
October 29 24
Orlando Pride
v
Chicago Red Stars
Orlando, Florida
7:00 pm
Stadium: Exploria Stadium
League standings
Pos
Team
v
t
e
Pld
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Pts
Qualification
1
Orlando Pride
4
3
1
0
6
3
+3
10
NWSL Shield
2
Portland Thorns FC
5
3
0
2
11
4
+7
9
Playoffs – Semi-Finals
3
NJ/NY Gotham FC
4
2
1
1
2
1
+1
7
Playoffs – First Round
4
Chicago Red Stars
5
2
1
2
4
7
−3
7
5
Washington Spirit
4
2
1
1
4
4
0
7
6
North Carolina Courage
4
1
1
2
6
3
+3
4
7
OL Reign
4
1
1
2
2
3
−1
4
8
Houston Dash
4
1
1
2
5
6
−1
4
9
Racing Louisville FC
4
1
1
2
2
8
−6
4
10
Kansas City
4
0
2
2
2
5
−3
2
Updated to match(es) played on June 5, 2021. Source: NWSL Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
NWSL Challenge Cup
Following the success of the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup as a replacement tournament, the NWSL announced the return of the competition as part of the regular schedule in 2021. The competition is scheduled to begin on April 9, prior to the start of the NWSL regular season.[11][16] With the league split regionally into two groups of five, teams were scheduled to play each divisional opponent once with the top team progressing to the final. Orlando Pride were placed in the East division with North Carolina Courage, NJ/NY Gotham FC, Washington Spirit, and new expansion franchise Racing Louisville.
Racing Louisville v Orlando Pride
April 10
Racing Louisville
2–2
Orlando Pride
Butchertown, Kentucky
7:00 pm
Kizer 12'
Fox 66'
Baucom 83'
Hendrix 90+3'
Report
Kornieck 35', 44'
Kim 88'
Stadium: Lynn Family Stadium Attendance: 5,300 Referee: Katja Koroleva
Orlando Pride v Gotham FC
April 14
Orlando Pride
0–1
Gotham FC
Orlando, Florida
7:00 pm
Plummer 82'
Report
Skroski 24'
Dydasco 52'
Monaghan 79'
Stadium: Exploria Stadium Referee: Natalie Simon
Orlando Pride v Washington Spirit
April 21
Orlando Pride
1–0
Washington Spirit
Orlando, Florida
7:00 pm
Leroux 11'
Marta 13'
Riley 36'
Harris 80'
Report
Sonnett 6'
O'Hara 86' 90+2'
Stadium: Exploria Stadium Referee: Alexandra Billeter
Source: NWSL Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
Squad statistics
Appearances
As of match played May 30, 2021
Starting appearances are listed first, followed by substitute appearances after the + symbol where applicable.
No.
Pos
Nat
Player
Total
NWSL
Challenge Cup
Apps
Goals
Apps
Goals
Apps
Goals
Goalkeepers
1
GK
Erin McLeod
1
0
1
0
0
0
24
GK
Ashlyn Harris
7
0
3
0
4
0
30
GK
Brittany Wilson
0
0
0
0
0
0
GK
Kaylie Collins
0
0
0
0
0
0
Defenders
3
DF
Toni Pressley
4
0
0+1
0
1+2
0
7
DF
Ali Riley
7
0
3
0
4
0
11
DF
Ali Krieger
7
0
4
0
3
0
12
DF
Carrie Lawrence
0
0
0
0
0
0
17
DF
Courtney Petersen
7
0
4
0
1+2
0
21
DF
Phoebe McClernon
8
0
4
0
4
0
25
DF
Konya Plummer
2
0
0
0
2
0
26
DF
Ally Haran
1
0
0+1
0
0
0
Midfielders
6
MF
Jade Moore
4
0
0
0
4
0
8
MF
Gunnhildur Jónsdóttir
6
0
4
0
2
0
14
MF
Marisa Viggiano
8
0
2+2
0
4
0
15
MF
Erika Tymrak
2
0
0
0
0+2
0
22
MF
Taylor Kornieck
8
1
4
0
4
1
27
MF
Chelsee Washington
4
0
0+3
0
0+1
0
28
MF
Meggie Dougherty Howard
7
0
3+1
0
1+2
0
Forwards
2
FW
Sydney Leroux
8
3
4
2
4
1
10
FW
Marta
8
0
4
0
4
0
13
FW
Alex Morgan
6
4
4
4
2
0
29
FW
Abi Kim
2
1
0
0
0+2
1
31
FW
Crystal Thomas
4
0
0+3
0
0+1
0
Goalscorers
As of match played May 30, 2021
Rank
No.
Pos.
Name
NWSL
Cup
Total
1
13
FW
Alex Morgan
4
0
4
2
2
FW
Sydney Leroux
2
1
3
3
22
MF
Taylor Kornieck
0
1
1
29
FW
Abi Kim
0
1
1
Total
6
3
9
Shutouts
As of match played May 30, 2021
Rank
No.
Pos.
Name
NWSL
Cup
Total
1
24
GK
Ashlyn Harris
1
2
3
Total
1
2
3
Disciplinary record
As of match played May 30, 2021
No.
Pos.
Name
NWSL
Cup
Total
7
DF
Ali Riley
0
0
1
0
1
0
8
MF
Gunnhildur Jónsdóttir
1
0
0
0
1
0
10
FW
Marta
0
0
1
0
1
0
14
MF
Marisa Viggiano
1
0
0
0
1
0
17
DF
Courtney Petersen
1
0
0
0
1
0
22
MF
Taylor Kornieck
0
0
1
0
1
0
24
GK
Ashlyn Harris
1
0
1
0
2
0
25
DF
Konya Plummer
0
0
1
0
1
0
Total
4
0
5
0
9
0
Transfers and loans
2021 NWSL Draft
Draft picks are not automatically signed to the team roster. The 2021 college draft was held on January 13, 2021. Orlando had four selections. All four draftees elected to take up the NCAA waiver in light of the COVID-19 pandemic that meant they were able to remain in college to contest the rescheduled college spring season. The Pride retained the NWSL rights to all four.[17]
Round
Pick
Player
Pos.
College
Status
1
9
Viviana Villacorta
MF
University of California, Los Angeles
NCAA Spring
2
14
Mikayla Colohan
MF
Brigham Young University
NCAA Spring
3
24
Kerry Abello
FW
Pennsylvania State University
NCAA Spring
4
34
Kaylie Collins
GK
University of Southern California
Short-term[a][18]
^Signed National Team Replacement contract
Transfers in
Date
Player
Pos.
Previous club
Fee/Notes
Ref.
December 21, 2020
Alex Morgan
FW
Tottenham Hotspur
Federation player, returned to the league
[19]
December 24, 2020
Meggie Dougherty Howard
MF
Washington Spirit
Acquired in a trade with a first-round pick in the 2021 NWSL Draft, a first-round pick in the 2022 or 2023 draft (tbd) and $140,000 in allocation money in exchange for Emily Sonnett.
[20]
January 22, 2021
Phoebe McClernon
DF
Växjö DFF
Re-signed following short-term contract with Växjö
[21]
January 30, 2021
Gunnhildur Jónsdóttir
MF
Kansas City NWSL
Acquired in exchange for Kristen Edmonds and the natural second-round pick in the 2022 NWSL Draft.
[22]
Erika Tymrak
MF
February 23, 2021
Crystal Thomas
FW
Washington Spirit
Free agent signing
[23]
March 2, 2021
Abi Kim
FW
Fiorentina
[24]
April 5, 2021
Gabby English
GK
Boavista
National Team Replacement signing
[25]
Transfers out
Date
Player
Pos.
Destination club
Fee/Notes
Ref.
October 29, 2020
Julie King
DF
Waived
[26]
Morgan Reid
DF
Waived
[26]
Abby Elinsky
MF
Waived
[26]
October 30, 2020
Zandy Soree
MF
Houston Dash
Short-term contract expired
[27][28]
Deneisha Blackwood
MF
Houston Dash
Short-term contract expired
[27][29]
Savanah Uveges
MF
Short-term contract expired
[27]
Kate Howarth
FW
Short-term contract expired
[27]
November 12, 2020
Alanna Kennedy
DF
Racing Louisville
Selected in the 2020 NWSL Expansion Draft.
[1]
December 24, 2020
Emily Sonnett
DF
Washington Spirit
Traded in exchange for a first-round pick in the 2021 NWSL Draft, a first-round pick in the 2022 or 2023 draft (tbd), Meggie Dougherty Howard and $140,000 in allocation money.
[20]
December 31, 2020
Claire Emslie
FW
Everton
Permanent transfer
[30]
Camila
MF
Palmeiras
Out of contract
[27][31]
January 7, 2021
Shelina Zadorsky
DF
Tottenham Hotspur
Permanent transfer
[32]
January 8, 2021
Emily van Egmond
MF
West Ham United
Permanent transfer
[33]
January 30, 2021
Kristen Edmonds
MF
Kansas City NWSL
Traded with the natural second-round pick in the 2022 NWSL Draft in exchange for Gunnhildur Jónsdóttir and Erika Tymrak.
[22]
February 4, 2021
Carson Pickett
DF
North Carolina Courage
Traded in exchange for the playing rights to Jodie Taylor.
[34]
March 30, 2021
Jordyn Listro
MF
Kansas City NWSL
Traded in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2022 NWSL Draft, rising to a second-round pick if conditions are met.
[35]
April 14, 2021
Gabby English
GK
End of National Team Replacement contract
Preseason trialists
Orlando Pride began preseason training on February 1, 2021. The squad included two non-roster invitees on trial with the team during preseason. Haran had been with Orlando during the 2020 Fall Series and made two appearances. Tymrak was not yet contracted and rostered having come out of retirement when Orlando acquired her playing rights in a trade in January.[17] They were later joined by Gabby English who had most recently been in Portugal with Boavista and Jamaican international Lauren Silver who had spent the 2020 Fall Series signed to Houston Dash.[36]
2021 Orlando Pride trialists
Player
Position
Previous team
Ally Haran [A]
DF
Orlando Pride
Erika Tymrak [A]
MF
Utah Royals
Gabby English [B]
GK
Boavista
Lauren Silver
DF
Houston Dash
^
Signed to first team contract.
^
Signed as National Team Replacement player.
References
^ a b"Racing Louisville FC draft rights to Tobin Heath and Christen Press in expansion draft". CBSSports.com.
^"Orlando Pride Announces Ian Fleming as General Manager". www.orlandocitysc.com.