# 2019 Orlando Pride season

The 2019 Orlando Pride season was Orlando Pride's fourth season in the National Women's Soccer League, the top division of women's soccer in the United States. The team played its home games at Exploria Stadium, renamed from Orlando City Stadium on June 4, 2019. Following the departure of Tom Sermanni at the end of the 2018 season, Marc Skinner was announced as his replacement in January.

## Notable events

Seven players signed with Australian W-League teams to play with during the 2018–19 NWSL offseason: Chioma Ubogagu and Carson Pickett joined Brisbane Roar, Dani Weatherholt and Christine Nairn joined Melbourne Victory, Rachel Hill joined Perth Glory, Alanna Kennedy joined Sydney FC and Emily van Egmond joined Newcastle Jets. Alanna Kennedy, Rachel Hill and Christine Nairn were named to the W-League Team of the Season. Weatherholt and Nairn won the regular season Premiership title with Melbourne Victory and Kennedy won the 2019 W-League grand final with Sydney FC.
The team's opening day roster was announced on April 10 and included 17 returning squad members. Sydney Leroux was notably placed on the supplemental roster instead of being deactivated on maternity leave in the hope she returned before the end of the season. She returned on September 29, making an 86th minute substitute appearance against Sky Blue FC, just three months after giving birth.
On May 23, after losing Shelina Zadorsky, Emily van Egmond, Camila, Marta, Ali Krieger, Alex Morgan, Alanna Kennedy and Ashlyn Harris to the World Cup, the Pride temporarily signed three National Team Replacement players.
On August 7, the club announced that Toni Pressley underwent surgery and was beginning treatment for breast cancer. She was placed on the 45-day disabled list. The final game of the season was designated as a Breast Cancer Awareness match with the team wearing limited edition pink pre-match warm-up tops to be auctioned off later. All nine NWSL teams also donated autographed items for the online fundraising auction. Pressley made her first appearance since the surgery during the game, coming on as a substitute with Harris handing her the captain's armband.
On August 15, the club announced that Emily van Egmond would undergo season-ending ankle surgery in Australia. She was placed on the season ending injury list.
On September 16, the club announced that Alex Morgan would be placed on the season ending injury list following a knee injury picked up on international duty.

## Roster

    As of September 16, 2019
| No. | Name | Position(s) | Date of birth (age) | Previous club | Notes |
| Goalkeepers |||||||
| 18 | Lainey Burdett | GK | (1996-12-22)December 22, 1996 (aged 22) | Arizona Wildcats | SUP |
| 24 | Ashlyn Harris | GK | (1985-10-19)October 19, 1985 (aged 33) | Washington Spirit | FED |
| 28 | Haley Kopmeyer | GK | (1990-06-28)June 28, 1990 (aged 28) | Seattle Reign FC | – |
| Defenders |||||||
| 3 | Toni Pressley | DF | (1990-02-19)February 19, 1990 (aged 29) | Houston Dash | – |
| 4 | Shelina Zadorsky | DF | (1992-10-24)October 24, 1992 (aged 26) | Washington Spirit | FED |
| 11 | Ali Krieger | DF | (1984-07-28)July 28, 1984 (aged 34) | Washington Spirit | – |
| 14 | Alanna Kennedy | DF | (1995-01-21)January 21, 1995 (aged 24) | Western New York Flash | INT |
| 16 | Carson Pickett | DF | (1993-09-15)September 15, 1993 (aged 25) | Seattle Reign FC | – |
| 19 | Erin Greening | DF | (1997-06-20)June 20, 1997 (aged 21) | Colorado Buffaloes | – |
| 21 | Julie King | DF | (1989-10-21)October 21, 1989 (aged 29) | North Carolina Courage | – |
| 27 | Morgan Reid | DF | (1995-06-13)June 13, 1995 (aged 23) | North Carolina Courage | – |
| 29 | Alika Keene | DF | (1994-01-15)January 15, 1994 (aged 25) | Harvard Crimson | NTR |
| 32 | Hana Kerner | DF | (1997-03-17)March 17, 1997 (aged 22) | Virginia Cavaliers | NTR |
| Midfielders |||||||
| 5 | Emily van Egmond | MF | (1993-07-12)July 12, 1993 (aged 25) | Newcastle Jets | INT D45 |
| 9 | Camila | MF | (1994-10-10)October 10, 1994 (aged 24) | Ferroviária | – |
| 12 | Kristen Edmonds | MF | (1987-05-22)May 22, 1987 (aged 31) | Western New York Flash | – |
| 17 | Dani Weatherholt | MF | (1994-03-17)March 17, 1994 (aged 25) | Santa Clara Broncos | – |
| 20 | Abby Elinsky | MF | (1996-01-08)January 8, 1996 (aged 23) | ASPTT Albi | – |
| 22 | Bridget Callahan | MF | (1996-04-16)April 16, 1996 (aged 22) | UCF Knights | – |
| 23 | Marisa Viggiano | MF | (1997-02-05)February 5, 1997 (aged 22) | Northwestern Wildcats | – |
| 25 | Joanna Boyles | MF | (1995-11-13)November 13, 1995 (aged 23) | Chicago Red Stars | SUP |
| Forwards |||||||
| 2 | Sydney Leroux | FW | (1990-05-07)May 7, 1990 (aged 28) | FC Kansas City | SUP |
| 7 | Claire Emslie | FW | (1994-03-08)March 8, 1994 (aged 25) | Manchester City | INT |
| 8 | Danica Evans | FW | (1995-06-02)June 2, 1995 (aged 23) | Colorado Buffaloes | – |
| 10 | Marta | FW | (1986-02-19)February 19, 1986 (aged 33) | FC Rosengård | INT |
| 13 | Alex Morgan | FW | (1989-07-02)July 2, 1989 (aged 29) | Portland Thorns FC | FED D45 |
| 15 | Rachel Hill | FW | (1995-04-17)April 17, 1995 (aged 23) | UConn Huskies | – |
| 26 | Caitlin Farrell | FW | (1997-09-29)September 29, 1997 (aged 21) | Georgetown Hoyas | SUP |

## Staff

    As of February 27, 2019
Executive :
| Majority owner and chairman | Flávio Augusto da Silva |
| Minor owner/life president | Phil Rawlins |
| Owner | John Bonner |
| Chief executive officer | Alex Leitão |
| General manager | Erik Ustruck |
| Coaching staff ||
| Head coach | Marc Skinner |
| Assistant coach | Carl Green |
| Goalkeeping coach | Lloyd Yaxley |

## Transfers and loans
### 2019 NWSL College Draft

Draft picks are not automatically signed to the team roster. The 2019 college draft was held on January 10, 2019. Orlando had two selections.
| Round | Pick | Player | Pos. | College | Status |
| 3 | 25 | Erin Greening | DF | University of Colorado | Signed |
| 4 | 30 | Marisa Viggiano | MF | Northwestern University | Signed |

### Transfers in

| Date | Player | Pos. | Previous club | Fee/notes |
| April 4, 2019 | Morgan Reid | DF | North Carolina Courage | Traded in exchange for Orlando's natural fourth round pick in the 2020 draft |
| April 10, 2019 | Abby Elinsky | MF | ASPTT Albi | Free agent signing |
| April 10, 2019 | Bridget Callahan | MF | UCF Knights | Free agent signing |
| April 10, 2019 | Joanna Boyles | MF | Chicago Red Stars | Free agent signing; signed to supplemental roster |
| April 10, 2019 | Lainey Burdett | GK | Arizona Wildcats | Free agent signing; signed to supplemental roster |
| April 10, 2019 | Caitlin Farrell | FW | Georgetown Hoyas | Free agent signing; signed to supplemental roster |
| May 23, 2019 | Alika Keene | DF | Harvard Crimson | National Team Replacement signing (short-term) |
| May 23, 2019 | Taylor Porter | MF | NC State Wolfpack | National Team Replacement signing (short-term) |
| May 23, 2019 | Hana Kerner | DF | Virginia Cavaliers | National Team Replacement signing (short-term) |
| May 30, 2019 | Claire Emslie | FW | Manchester City | Free agent signing |
| August 8, 2019 | Julie King | DF | North Carolina Courage | Free agent signing (via Discovery) |

### Transfers out

| Date | Player | Pos. | Destination club | Fee/notes |
| January 25, 2019 | Poliana | DF | São José | Waived |
| February 18, 2019 | Mônica | DF | Corinthians | Contract expired |
| February 26, 2019 | Christine Nairn | MF | Houston Dash | Traded in exchange for a 2019 international roster spot and Houston's natural third and fourth round 2020 draft picks |
| July 5, 2019 | Taylor Porter | MF | Spartak Subotica | Released from National Team Replacement contract |
| August 29, 2019 | Chioma Ubogagu | FW | CD Tacón | Waived |

### Preseason trialists

Orlando Pride began preseason training on March 4, 2019. The squad included eight non-roster invitees on trial with the team during preseason. A total of five were eventually signed by the team with another later added as a temporary national team replacement player.
2019 Orlando Pride trialists :
| Player | Position | Previous team |
| Lainey Burdett | GK | Arizona Wildcats |
| Alika Keene | DF | Harvard Crimson |
| Kim Reynolds | DF | Orlando Kicks |
| Joanna Boyles | MF | Chicago Red Stars |
| Bridget Callahan | MF | UCF Knights |
| Abby Elinsky | MF | ASPTT Albi |
| Leah Mohammadi | MF | Harvard Crimson |
| Caitlin Farrell | FW | Georgetown Hoyas |

## Match results

As per league schedule, preseason camp began on March 4 with many of the squad still away on international duty. The Pride played their first ever preseason game against fellow NWSL opposition on March 23, taking part in North Carolina Courage's inaugural Friendship Cup which ended in a 4–0 defeat. On March 30, the Pride hosted the University of South Florida for a closed-door friendly, marking the fourth consecutive preseason meeting between the two teams. Liga PR Femenino champions Sol traveled to Orlando the week before the NWSL season began for the final preseason friendly, a match open to the public with for free. The Pride won both of their final two preseason games.

### National Women's Soccer League

Results summary
| Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Home | Home | Home | Home | Home | Home | Away | Away | Away | Away | Away | Away |
Last updated: October 12, 2019. 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 |
| Stadium | H | A | A | H | A | H | A | H | A | A | H | H | A | H | H | H | A | A | A | H | A | A | H | H |
| Result | L | L | D | L | L | L | L | L | D | W | L | W | L | W | L | L | W | L | L | L | L | D | L | D |
| Position | 8 | – | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | – | 9 | 9 | – | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
* ↑ ORL's position at the end of the matchweek, not their match.
Results
League standings
| Pos | Teamvte | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
| 1 | North Carolina Courage (C) | 24 | 15 | 4 | 5 | 54 | 23 | +31 | 49 | NWSL Shield |
| 2 | Chicago Red Stars | 24 | 14 | 2 | 8 | 41 | 28 | +13 | 44 | NWSL Playoffs |
| 3 | Portland Thorns FC | 24 | 11 | 7 | 6 | 40 | 31 | +9 | 40 | NWSL Playoffs |
| 4 | Reign FC | 24 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 27 | 27 | 0 | 38 | NWSL Playoffs |
| 5 | Washington Spirit | 24 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 30 | 25 | +5 | 34 | |
| 6 | Utah Royals FC | 24 | 10 | 4 | 10 | 25 | 25 | 0 | 34 | |
| 7 | Houston Dash | 24 | 7 | 5 | 12 | 21 | 36 | −15 | 26 | |
| 8 | Sky Blue FC | 24 | 5 | 5 | 14 | 20 | 34 | −14 | 20 | |
| 9 | Orlando Pride | 24 | 4 | 4 | 16 | 24 | 53 | −29 | 16 | |

## Squad statistics
### Appearances

    As of matches played October 12, 2019
| No. | Pos. | Name | NWSL | NWSL |
| No. | Pos. | Name | Apps | Starts |
| 2 | FW | Sydney Leroux | 3 | 0 |
| 3 | DF | Toni Pressley | 10 | 9 |
| 4 | DF | Shelina Zadorsky | 16 | 16 |
| 5 | MF | Emily van Egmond | 8 | 7 |
| 6 | FW | Chioma Ubogagu | 17 | 15 |
| 7 | FW | Claire Emslie | 11 | 9 |
| 8 | FW | Danica Evans | 9 | 4 |
| 9 | MF | Camila | 16 | 4 |
| 10 | FW | Marta | 14 | 14 |
| 11 | DF | Ali Krieger | 12 | 12 |
| 12 | DF | Kristen Edmonds | 13 | 9 |
| 13 | FW | Alex Morgan | 6 | 5 |
| 14 | DF | Alanna Kennedy | 15 | 15 |
| 15 | FW | Rachel Hill | 24 | 23 |
| 16 | DF | Carson Pickett | 20 | 19 |
| 17 | MF | Dani Weatherholt | 19 | 16 |
| 18 | GK | Lainey Burdett | 1 | 1 |
| 19 | DF | Erin Greening | 17 | 16 |
| 20 | MF | Abby Elinsky | 18 | 5 |
| 21 | DF | Julie King | 2 | 2 |
| 22 | MF | Bridget Callahan | 8 | 6 |
| 23 | MF | Marisa Viggiano | 19 | 15 |
| 24 | GK | Ashlyn Harris | 13 | 13 |
| 25 | MF | Joanna Boyles | 19 | 16 |
| 26 | FW | Caitlin Farrell | 3 | 0 |
| 27 | DF | Morgan Reid | 7 | 7 |
| 28 | GK | Haley Kopmeyer | 10 | 10 |
| 29 | DF | Alika Keene | 0 | 0 |
| 31 | MF | Hana Kerner | 0 | 0 |
| 32 | DF | Taylor Porter | 0 | 0 |

### Goalscorers

    As of matches played October 12, 2019
| Rank | No. | Pos. | Name | NWSL |
| 1 | 10 | FW | Marta | 6 |
| 2 | 6 | FW | Chioma Ubogagu | 4 |
| 2 | 15 | FW | Rachel Hill | 4 |
| 4 | 3 | DF | Toni Pressley | 1 |
| 4 | 4 | DF | Shelina Zadorsky | 1 |
| 4 | 8 | FW | Danica Evans | 1 |
| 4 | 9 | MF | Camila | 1 |
| 4 | 14 | DF | Alanna Kennedy | 1 |
| 4 | 19 | DF | Erin Greening | 1 |
| 4 | 23 | MF | Marisa Viggiano | 1 |
| 4 | 25 | MF | Joanna Boyles | 1 |
| Own goal | Own goal | Own goal | Own goal | 2 |
| Total | Total | Total | Total | 24 |

### Shutouts

    As of matches played October 12, 2019
| Rank | No. | Name | NWSL |
| 1 | 24 | Ashlyn Harris | 1 |
| Total | Total | Total | 1 |

### Disciplinary record

    As of matches played October 12, 2019
| No. | Pos. | Name | NWSL | NWSL |
| 3 | DF | Toni Pressley | 1 | 0 |
| 4 | DF | Shelina Zadorsky | 1 | 0 |
| 5 | MF | Emily van Egmond | 1 | 0 |
| 6 | FW | Chioma Ubogagu | 3 | 0 |
| 7 | FW | Claire Emslie | 4 | 0 |
| 9 | MF | Camila | 2 | 0 |
| 10 | FW | Marta | 4 | 1 |
| 11 | DF | Ali Krieger | 1 | 0 |
| 12 | DF | Kristen Edmonds | 2 | 0 |
| 13 | FW | Alex Morgan | 1 | 0 |
| 14 | DF | Alanna Kennedy | 2 | 1 |
| 15 | FW | Rachel Hill | 2 | 0 |
| 16 | DF | Carson Pickett | 2 | 0 |
| 17 | MF | Dani Weatherholt | 1 | 0 |
| 19 | DF | Erin Greening | 3 | 0 |
| 20 | MF | Abby Elinsky | 3 | 0 |
| 21 | DF | Julie King | 0 | 1 |
| 22 | MF | Bridget Callahan | 1 | 0 |
| 23 | MF | Marisa Viggiano | 1 | 0 |
| 27 | DF | Morgan Reid | 1 | 0 |
| Total | Total | Total | 35 | 3 |

## Honors and awards

    As of October 24, 2019.

### NWSL Team of the Season

| Player | Position | Ref. |
| Ali Krieger | Defender | |

### NWSL Team of the Month

| Month | Player | Position | Ref. |
| July | Marta | Forward | |

### NWSL Weekly Awards

NWSL Player of the Week
| Week | Result | Player | Ref. |
| 13 | Won | Marta | |
NWSL Goal of the Week
| Week | Result | Player |
| 2 | Won | Alanna Kennedy |
| 9 | Nominated | Joanna Boyles |
| 12 | Won | Marta |
| 13 | Nominated | Marta |
| 14 | Nominated | Marisa Viggiano |
| 19 | Nominated | Marta |
| 22 | Nominated | Rachel Hill |
| 25 | Won | Marta |
NWSL Save of the Week
| Week | Result | Player |
| 1 | Won | Ashlyn Harris |
| 2 | Nominated | Ashlyn Harris |
| 5 | Won | Haley Kopmeyer |
| 8 | Nominated | Haley Kopmeyer |
| 9 | Won | Haley Kopmeyer |
| 10 | Won | Haley Kopmeyer |
| 11 | Won | Haley Kopmeyer |
| 12 | Nominated | Haley Kopmeyer |
| 13 | Won | Haley Kopmeyer |
| 19 | Won | Ashlyn Harris |
| 22 | Won | Ashlyn Harris |
| 24 | Won | Ashlyn Harris |
| 20 | Won | Lainey Burdett |
* ↑ Match vs. Washington Spirit was originally scheduled in game week 20 but later postponed until October and was the only game played. One save was nominated from each team.