Orlando Pride 2020 soccer season
The 2020 Orlando Pride season was Orlando Pride 's fifth season in the National Women's Soccer League , the top division of women's soccer in the United States .
In October 2019, Alex Morgan announced she was pregnant and expecting to give birth in April 2020.[ 1] [ 2] Morgan had stated she aimed to return to playing in time for the Olympics with the United States in July 2020 but the games were eventually postponed by COVID-19 .[ 3] Morgan gave birth on May 7, 2020.[ 4]
Five Pride players signed with Australian W-League teams to play with during the 2019–20 NWSL offseason: Emily van Egmond and Claire Emslie joined Melbourne City , Alanna Kennedy joined Sydney FC , Carson Pickett joined Brisbane Roar and Camila joined Canberra United .[ 5] [ 6] [ 7] [ 8] [ 9] Van Egmond and Emslie won both the Premiership and Championship titles with Melbourne City as van Egmond also led the team in goals with six.[ 10] [ 11]
On November 5, 2019, Orlando used its top priority to acquire the NWSL rights to Australian midfielder Chloe Logarzo off the NWSL Re-Entry Wire.[ 12] On November 13, the pick was voided after the league realized Logarzo should not have been made available for selection and allowed to go through the re-entry process. The Pride was not offered compensation.[ 13] Logarzo subsequently signed in England with Bristol City .[ 14]
In January 2020, the Pride announced that NWSL President Amanda Duffy was to step down in order to become the team's Executive Vice President. General Manager Erik Ustruck returned to Orlando City's front office staff after only a year in the role.[ 15]
In March, the start of the season was delayed indefinitely due to the coronavirus pandemic .[ 16] On May 8, the NWSL allowed voluntary individual workouts on outdoor fields for the first time since the suspension.[ 17]
On May 27, 2020, the NWSL announced the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup as a smaller format replacement to the league, a 25-game tournament hosted at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman, Utah , beginning June 27, 71 days after the originally planned start date of the regular season.[ 18] On June 22, the team withdrew from the tournament following positive COVID-19 tests among both players and staff.[ 19]
Orlando ultimately played for the first time in 2020 on September 19 as part of the Fall Series friendlies, 343 days since the team's last match on October 12, 2019.
As of September 19, 2020 .[ 20]
No.
Nationality
Name
Position(s)
Date of birth (age)
Previous club
Notes
Goalkeepers
24
Ashlyn Harris
GK
(1985-10-19 ) October 19, 1985 (aged 34)
Washington Spirit
FED
30
Brittany Wilson
GK
(1997-09-22 ) September 22, 1997 (aged 22)
Denver Pioneers
–
Defenders
3
Toni Pressley
DF
(1990-02-19 ) February 19, 1990 (aged 30)
Houston Dash
–
11
Ali Krieger
DF
(1984-07-28 ) July 28, 1984 (aged 36)
Washington Spirit
FED
17
Carrie Lawrence
DF
(1997-07-15 ) July 15, 1997 (aged 23)
UCF Knights
Short-term
21
Julie King
DF
(1989-10-21 ) October 21, 1989 (aged 30)
North Carolina Courage
SUP
25
Konya Plummer
DF
(1997-08-02 ) August 2, 1997 (aged 23)
UCF Knights
INT
27
Morgan Reid
DF
(1995-06-13 ) June 13, 1995 (aged 25)
North Carolina Courage
D45
28
Courtney Petersen
DF
(1997-10-28 ) October 28, 1997 (aged 22)
Virginia Cavaliers
–
32
Ally Haran
DF
(1996-05-21 ) May 21, 1996 (aged 24)
Houston Dash
Short-term
Midfielders
5
Savanah Uveges
MF
(1996-06-09 ) June 9, 1996 (aged 24)
Nebraska Cornhuskers
Short-term
8
Deneisha Blackwood
MF
(1997-03-07 ) March 7, 1997 (aged 23)
Slavia Prague
INT, Short-term
12
Kristen Edmonds
MF
(1987-05-22 ) May 22, 1987 (aged 33)
Western New York Flash
–
16
Zandy Soree
MF
(1998-08-01 ) August 1, 1998 (aged 22)
UCF Knights
Short-term
19
Jordyn Listro
MF
(1995-08-10 ) August 10, 1995 (aged 25)
UDG Tenerife
INT, Short-term
20
Abby Elinsky
MF
(1996-01-08 ) January 8, 1996 (aged 24)
ASPTT Albi
SUP
23
Marisa Viggiano
MF
(1997-02-05 ) February 5, 1997 (aged 23)
Northwestern Wildcats
SUP
31
Chelsee Washington
MF
(1997-11-17 ) November 17, 1997 (aged 22)
Bowling Green Falcons
–
Forwards
2
Sydney Leroux
FW
(1990-05-07 ) May 7, 1990 (aged 30)
FC Kansas City
–
10
Marta
FW
(1986-02-19 ) February 19, 1986 (aged 34)
FC Rosengård
INT
14
Kate Howarth
FW
(1991-07-03 ) July 3, 1991 (aged 29)
New England Mutiny
Short-term
As of February 14, 2020 .[ 21] [ 22]
Executive
Majority owner and chairman
Flávio Augusto da Silva
Chief executive officer
Alex Leitão
Executive vice president
Amanda Duffy
Coaching staff
Head coach
Marc Skinner
Assistant coach
Carl Green
Goalkeeping coach
Lloyd Yaxley
As per the league schedule, NWSL teams were permitted to begin preseason activities on March 9, 2020. Orlando Pride were due to play three friendlies in preseason, all against Florida college teams.[ 23] However, on March 12 it was announced that the NWSL's preseason schedule had been canceled on the advice of public health authorities due to the coronavirus pandemic .[ 24]
National Women's Soccer League[ edit ]
Results
2020 NWSL Challenge Cup [ edit ]
The format of the tournament was supposed to feature all nine NWSL clubs each playing four games in the preliminary rounds to determine seeding. The top eight teams would advance to a knockout bracket.[ 18] The draw for the preliminary round was held on June 1, randomly assigning teams to their opposition via seeding. Orlando were drawn against Chicago, Portland and North Carolina, the top three placed teams from the previous season as well as Sky Blue.[ 25] However, on June 22, the team confirmed they would be withdrawing from the tournament following positive COVID-19 tests among both players and staff.[ 19]
To compensate for the lack of competitive schedule and difficulty of travel, the NWSL grouped teams into regional pods to allow for a Fall Series in September and October.[ 26] Orlando were grouped in the south region with reigning NWSL champions North Carolina and 2020 Challenge Cup winners Houston.[ 27]
As of matches played October 17, 2020
As of matches played October 17, 2020
As of matches played October 17, 2020
Disciplinary record [ edit ]
As of matches played October 17, 2020
Transfers and loans [ edit ]
Draft picks are not automatically signed to the team roster. The 2020 college draft was held on January 16, 2020. Orlando had seven selections.[ 28]
^ a b Signed short-term contract for NWSL Challenge Cup
Date
Player
Previous club
Fee/notes
Ref.
January 8, 2020
Emily Sonnett
DF
Portland Thorns FC
Acquired in trade with the No. 7 and No. 14 picks in the 2020 NWSL Draft in exchange for Orlando's No. 1 overall pick.
[ 33]
Caitlin Foord (NWSL rights only)[ a]
FW
January 10, 2020
Carrie Lawrence
DF
UCF Knights
Signed to supplemental roster
[ 34]
February 10, 2020
Ali Riley
DF
Bayern Munich
Signed via transfer using Allocation Money
[ 35]
February 14, 2020
Erin McLeod
GK
Växjö DFF
Free agent signing
[ 36]
April 1, 2020
Jade Moore
MF
Reading
Signed via transfer using Allocation Money
[ 37]
June 21, 2020
Brittany Wilson
GK
Denver Pioneers
Free agent signing, initially short-term contract for NWSL Challenge Cup but re-signed through 2021 in September.
[ 31] [ 32]
September 8, 2020
Carrie Lawrence
DF
Orlando Pride
Free agent signing, short-term contract for Fall Series
[ 38]
Ally Haran
DF
Houston Dash
Free agent signing, short-term contract for Fall Series
[ 38]
Zandy Soree
MF
UCF Knights
Free agent signing, short-term contract for Fall Series
[ 38]
Deneisha Blackwood
MF
Slavia Prague
Free agent signing, short-term contract for Fall Series
[ 38]
Jordyn Listro
MF
UDG Tenerife
Free agent signing, short-term contract for Fall Series
[ 38]
Savanah Uveges
MF
Nebraska Cornhuskers
Free agent signing, short-term contract for Fall Series
[ 38]
Kate Howarth
FW
New England Mutiny
Free agent signing, short-term contract for Fall Series
[ 38]
^ Elected to sign outside NWSL with Arsenal
Date
Player
Destination club
Fee/notes
Ref.
Unknown
Alika Keene
DF
Gintra Universitetas
2019 National Team Replacement contract expired
[ 39]
Unknown
Hana Kerner
DF
Stade de Reims
2019 National Team Replacement contract expired
[ 40]
January 10, 2020
Danica Evans
FW
Sporting de Huelva
Waived
[ 34]
January 16, 2020
Rachel Hill
FW
Chicago Red Stars
Traded with a third-round (No. 19) pick in the 2020 NWSL Draft , Orlando's natural first-round selection in the 2021 NWSL Draft and $50,000 of allocation money in exchange for a first-round (No. 3) and third-round (No. 26) pick in the 2020 NWSL Draft .
[ 41] [ 42]
January 22, 2020
Dani Weatherholt
MF
Reign FC
Traded in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2021 NWSL Draft .
[ 43]
February 4, 2020
Haley Kopmeyer
GK
Waived
[ 44]
February 26, 2020
Joanna Boyles
MF
Retired
Retired
[ 45]
June 21, 2020
Bridget Callahan
MF
Waived
[ 31]
Carrie Lawrence
DF
Orlando Pride
Waived (re-signed on September 8 for Fall Series)
[ 31]
Lainey Burdett
GK
Åland United
Waived
[ 31] [ 46]
July 30, 2020
Cheyenne Shorts
DF
Celtic
End of short-term contract
[ 47]
August 5, 2020
Erin Greening
DF
Klepp IL
Waived
[ 48] [ 49]
August 13, 2020
Phoebe McClernon
DF
Växjö DFF
Released from short-term contract to sign abroad
[ 50]
August 18, 2020
Emily Sonnett
DF
Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC
Federation player , opted to sign outside the league
[ 51]
September 12, 2020
Caitlin Farrell
FW
Removed from roster, did not report
[ 52]
Alex Morgan
FW
Tottenham Hotspur
Federation player , opted to sign outside the league
[ 53]
Date
Player
Loaned to
Notes
Ref.
July 13, 2020
Ali Riley
DF
FC Rosengård
Until November 30, 2020, with right of recall
[ 54]
August 12, 2020
Camila
MF
Palmeiras
Until December 22, 2020
[ 55]
August 14, 2020
Erin McLeod
GK
Stjarnan
Until October 20, 2020
[ 56]
August 18, 2020
Jade Moore
MF
Atlético Madrid
Until February 15, 2021, with right of recall
[ 51]
August 20, 2020
Shelina Zadorsky
DF
Tottenham Hotspur
Until December 31, 2020
[ 57]
Alanna Kennedy
DF
Tottenham Hotspur
Until December 31, 2020
[ 57]
Carson Pickett
DF
Apollon Limassol
Until November 20, 2020
[ 58]
August 22, 2020
Claire Emslie
FW
Everton
Until December 31, 2020
[ 59]
August 28, 2020
Emily van Egmond
MF
West Ham United
Until December 31, 2020
[ 60]
August 31, 2020
Taylor Kornieck
MF
MSV Duisburg
Until December 31, 2020
[ 61] [ 62]
Preseason trialists [ edit ]
Orlando Pride began preseason training on March 9, 2020. The squad included six non-roster invitees on trial with the team during preseason.[ 63] In June, Brittany Wilson was signed to a short-term contract for the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup before being signed through 2021 with an option for the 2022 season in September.[ 31] [ 32]
^ Signed to first team contract.
^ Signed to short-term contract for NWSL Challenge Cup.
^ Signed to short-term contract for Fall Series.
^ Gartland, Dan (October 23, 2019). "USWNT Star Alex Morgan Expecting Baby Girl" . Sports Illustrated .
^ "Alex Morgan: USA striker expecting baby girl in April 2020" . October 23, 2019 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
^ Zaccardi, Nick (October 28, 2019). "Alex Morgan's Olympic return from pregnancy supported by new U.S. soccer coach" . OlympicTalk . Retrieved November 5, 2019 .
^ "Alex Morgan and Servando Carrasco Welcome a Daughter" . PEOPLE.com . Retrieved May 9, 2020 .
^ "Melbourne City FC signs Matildas international Emily Van Egmond" . Melbourne City FC .
^ "Melbourne City FC signs Scottish attacker Claire Emslie" . Melbourne City FC .
^ "Sydney FC Unveil Championship Defending Westfield W-League Squad" . Sydney FC .
^ "Pickett returns for third season in Brisbane orange" . Brisbane Roar FC .
^ "Five Orlando Pride Players Set to Join W-League Teams for 2019-20 Offseason" . www.orlandocitysc.com .
^ "W-League review: Melbourne City crowned Premiers, Western Sydney woes" . ESPN.com . February 23, 2020.
^ "Catley strike seals Melbourne City's record fourth Westfield W-League Championship" . Westfield W-League . March 21, 2020.
^ "Five players selected off NWSL Re-Entry Wire" . www.nwslsoccer.com .
^ Poe, Julia (November 13, 2019). "Orlando Pride will not retain rights to Chloe Logarzo due to NWSL discrepancy" . Pro Soccer USA . Archived from the original on April 8, 2020. Retrieved November 13, 2019 .
^ "Logarzo is a Robin" . Bristol City .
^ "Long-Time Soccer Executive Amanda Duffy Appointed to Lead Orlando Pride" . Orlando City SC .
^ "NWSL, CPL delay start of 2020 seasons due to Covid-19" . SportBusiness . March 21, 2020.
^ Poe, Julia (May 8, 2020). "Orlando Pride players grateful to resume individual workouts" . Pro Soccer USA . Archived from the original on May 21, 2020. Retrieved May 22, 2020 .
^ a b "NWSL announces 2020 Challenge Cup presented by P&G and Secret" . www.nwslsoccer.com .
^ a b "Orlando Pride Statement Regarding 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup Participation" . www.orlandocitysc.com .
^ "Orlando Pride Roster" . Orlando City SC . Archived from the original on April 1, 2017. Retrieved November 5, 2019 .
^ "Orlando Pride Staff" . Orlando Pride.
^ "Board of Directors" . Orlando City SC.
^ "Orlando Pride Announces 2020 Preseason Schedule" . www.orlandocitysc.com .
^ "Statement from NWSL Commissioner Lisa Baird regarding the 2020 season" . www.nwslsoccer.com . March 12, 2020.
^ "NWSL Challenge Cup draw, schedule: Chicago Red Stars matched up against Orlando Pride in opener in Utah" . CBSSports.com .
^ Geary, Molly. "NWSL Announces 18-Match Fall Series Starting in September" . Sports Illustrated .
^ "NWSL 2020 fall series schedule highlights regional rivalries, innovative solutions" . www.nwslsoccer.com .
^ "2020 NWSL Draft to take place in Baltimore, MD on January 16" . www.nwslsoccer.com .
^ "Orlando Pride Signs 2020 NWSL Draft No. 3 Overall Selection Taylor Kornieck" . www.orlandocitysc.com .
^ a b "Orlando Pride Signs 2020 NWSL Draft Selections Courtney Petersen & Konya Plummer" . www.orlandocitysc.com .
^ a b c d e f g "Orlando Pride Announces Roster Moves Ahead of 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup" . www.orlandocitysc.com .
^ a b c "Orlando Pride Signs Midfielder Chelsee Washington & Goalkeeper Brittany Wilson" . www.orlandocitysc.com .
^ "Orlando Pride Trades for Emily Sonnett, Rights to Caitlin Foord and Pair of 2020 Draft Picks" . www.orlandocitysc.com .
^ a b "Orlando Pride Signs UCF Alumna Carrie Lawrence" . www.orlandocitysc.com .
^ "Orlando Pride Signs New Zealand Women's National Team Defender Ali Riley" . www.orlandocitysc.com .
^ "Orlando Pride Signs Canadian Goalkeeper Erin McLeod" . www.orlandocitysc.com .
^ "Orlando Pride Acquires English Midfielder Jade Moore" . www.orlandocitysc.com .
^ a b c d e f g "Orlando Pride Signs Seven Players to Short-Term Contracts" . www.orlandocitysc.com .
^ "Ypatingą istorinę dieną Lietuvai Gintra-Universitetas pažymėjo pergale Rygoje" . FK "Gintra" - Moteru futbolo klubas (in Lithuanian). March 11, 2020.
^ "Hana Kerner, une recrue défensive au SDR" . stade-de-reims.com (in French).
^ "Orlando Pride Trades to No. 3 Overall, Selects Midfielder Taylor Kornieck in the 2020 NWSL College Draft" . www.orlandocitysc.com .
^ "NWSL allocation money announcement" . NWSL Media Association. January 27, 2020. Retrieved January 27, 2020 .
^ "Orlando Pride Acquires 2021 Second round draft pick From Reign FC" . www.orlandocitysc.com .
^ "Orlando Pride Waive Goalkeeper Haley Kopmeyer" . www.orlandocitysc.com .
^ "Joanna Boyles announces retirement" . Joanna Boyles instagram. February 26, 2020. Archived from the original on December 24, 2021. Retrieved February 27, 2020 .
^ "Former Arizona and FC Tucson Women goalie Lainey Burdett signs with Åland United" . All Sports Tucson .
^ "New Ghirl Cheyenne Shorts desperate to get into action for the Celts" . Celtic F.C .
^ "Orlando Pride Waives Defender Erin Greening" . www.orlandocitysc.com .
^ "Amerikansk forsvarsspiller klar for Klepp" . www.kleppelite.no .
^ "McClernon signs with Växjö" . Summit Sports Global twitter .
^ a b "Pride's Sonnett to Join Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC, Moore Loaned to Atlético Madrid" . www.orlandocitysc.com .
^ "Orlando Pride Announces Complete Roster Ahead of NWSL Fall Series" . www.orlandocitysc.com .
^ "Alex Morgan joins Spurs Women" . Tottenham Hotspur .
^ "Orlando Pride Defender Ali Riley Loaned to FC Rosengård" . www.orlandocitysc.com .
^ "Orlando Pride Midfielder Camila Loaned to SE Palmeiras" . www.orlandocitysc.com .
^ "Orlando Pride Loan Goalkeeper Erin McLeod to Icelandic Side Ungmennafélag Stjarnan" . www.orlandocitysc.com .
^ a b "Kennedy and Zadorsky loans agreed" . Tottenham Hotspur .
^ "Pride Defenders Alanna Kennedy, Shelina Zadorsky Loaned to Tottenham, Carson Pickett to Apollon Ladies FC" . www.orlandocitysc.com .
^ "Everton Complete Emslie Loan Capture" . www.evertonfc.com .
^ "Orlando Pride Midfielder Emily van Egmond Loaned to West Ham United" . www.orlandocitysc.com .
^ "Orlando Pride Midfielder Taylor Kornieck Heads to Germany on Loan" . www.orlandocitysc.com .
^ Presseabteilung, MSV Duisburg-. "Capelli neuer Haupt- und Trikot-Partner" . MSV Duisburg (in German).
^ "Orlando Pride Announce Preseason Opening Day Roster" . www.orlandocitysc.com .
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