2020 Orlando Pride season

The 2020 Orlando Pride season is Orlando Pride's fifth season in the National Women's Soccer League, the top division of women's soccer in the United States. The team plays its home games at Exploria Stadium.

Orlando Pride
2020 season
CEOAlex Leitão
Head CoachMarc Skinner
StadiumExploria Stadium
Orlando, Florida

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 original 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]

Roster
As of August 18, 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 Washington Spirit FED
30 Brittany Wilson GK (1997-09-22) September 22, 1997 Denver Pioneers –
Defenders
3 Toni Pressley DF (1990-02-19) February 19, 1990 Houston Dash –
4 Shelina Zadorsky DF (1992-10-24) October 24, 1992 Washington Spirit FED
11 Ali Krieger DF (1984-07-28) July 28, 1984 Washington Spirit FED
14 Alanna Kennedy DF (1995-01-21) January 21, 1995 Western New York Flash INT
16 Carson Pickett DF (1993-09-15) September 15, 1993 Seattle Reign FC –
21 Julie King DF (1989-10-21) October 21, 1989 North Carolina Courage SUP
25 Konya Plummer DF (1997-08-02) August 2, 1997 UCF Knights INT
27 Morgan Reid DF (1995-06-13) June 13, 1995 North Carolina Courage D45
28 Courtney Petersen DF (1997-10-28) October 28, 1997 Virginia Cavaliers –
33 Cheyenne Shorts DF (1998-08-10) August 10, 1998 Denver Pioneers –
Midfielders
5 Emily van Egmond MF (1993-07-12) July 12, 1993 Newcastle Jets INT
12 Kristen Edmonds MF (1987-05-22) May 22, 1987 Western New York Flash –
20 Abby Elinsky MF (1996-01-08) January 8, 1996 ASPTT Albi SUP
23 Marisa Viggiano MF (1997-02-05) February 5, 1997 Northwestern Wildcats SUP
26 Taylor Kornieck MF (1998-11-22) November 22, 1998 Colorado Buffaloes –
31 Chelsee Washington MF (1997-11-17) November 17, 1997 Bowling Green Falcons –
Forwards
2 Sydney Leroux FW (1990-05-07) May 7, 1990 FC Kansas City –
7 Claire Emslie FW (1994-03-08) March 8, 1994 Manchester City INT
10 Marta FW (1986-02-19) February 19, 1986 FC Rosengård INT
13 Alex Morgan FW (1989-07-02) July 2, 1989 Portland Thorns FC FED D45
Caitlin Farrell FW (1997-09-29) September 29, 1997 Georgetown Hoyas SUP

Staff
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

Match results

Preseason

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]

March 24 Florida State SeminolesCanceledOrlando PrideTallahassee, Florida
3:30pm Stadium: Seminole Soccer Complex
April 4 UCF KnightsCanceledOrlando PrideOrlando, Florida
12:00pm Stadium: UCF Soccer and Track Stadium
April 11 Orlando PrideCanceledSouth Florida BullsSanford, Florida
Stadium: Sylvan Lake Park
Attendance: Closed-door

National Women's Soccer League
Further information: 2020 National Women's Soccer League season

Results

April 19 1Orlando PrideCanceledSky Blue FCOrlando, Florida
5:00pm Stadium: Exploria Stadium
April 24 2Utah RoyalsCanceledOrlando PrideSandy, Utah
10:00pm Stadium: Rio Tinto Stadium
May 2 3Orlando PrideCanceledNorth Carolina CourageOrlando, Florida
7:30pm Stadium: Exploria Stadium
May 6 4Portland ThornsCanceledOrlando PridePortland, Oregon
10:30pm Stadium: Providence Park
May 17 5Chicago Red StarsCanceledOrlando PrideBridgeview, Illinois
6:00pm Stadium: SeatGeek Stadium
May 23 6North Carolina CourageCanceledOrlando PrideCary, North Carolina
7:00pm Stadium: WakeMed Soccer Park
May 27 7Orlando PrideCanceledHouston DashOrlando, Florida
7:00pm Stadium: Exploria Stadium
May 30 8Washington SpiritCanceledOrlando PrideLeesburg, Virginia
7:00pm Stadium: Segra Field
June 13 9Utah RoyalsCanceledOrlando PrideSandy, Utah
10:30pm Stadium: Rio Tinto Stadium
June 19 10OL ReignCanceledOrlando PrideTacoma, Washington
10:00pm Stadium: Cheney Stadium
June 26 11Orlando PrideCanceledWashington SpiritOrlando, Florida
7:00pm Stadium: Exploria Stadium
July 5 12Orlando PrideCanceledPortland ThornsOrlando, Florida
5:00pm Stadium: Exploria Stadium
July 12 13Orlando PrideCanceledOL ReignOrlando, Florida
5:00pm Stadium: Exploria Stadium
July 18 14Chicago Red StarsCanceledOrlando PrideBridgeview, Illinois
8:00pm Stadium: SeatGeek Stadium
August 2 15Orlando PrideCanceledUtah RoyalsOrlando, Florida
5:00pm Stadium: Exploria Stadium
August 7 16Orlando PrideCanceledSky Blue FCOrlando, Florida
7:00pm Stadium: Exploria Stadium
August 15 17Portland ThornsCanceledOrlando PridePortland, Oregon
10:30pm Stadium: Providence Park
August 21 18Orlando PrideCanceledOL ReignOrlando, Florida
7:00pm Stadium: Exploria Stadium
August 30 19Orlando PrideCanceledHouston DashOrlando, Florida
5:00pm Stadium: Exploria Stadium
September 9 20Washington SpiritCanceledOrlando PrideGermantown, Maryland
7:30pm Stadium: Maryland SoccerPlex
September 12 21Houston DashCanceledOrlando PrideHouston, Texas
7:00pm Stadium: BBVA Stadium
September 25 22Orlando PrideCanceledChicago Red StarsOrlando, Florida
7:00pm Stadium: Exploria Stadium
October 3 23Sky Blue FCCanceledOrlando PrideHarrison, New Jersey
6:00pm Stadium: Red Bull Arena
October 10 24Orlando PrideCanceledNorth Carolina CourageOrlando, Florida
7:30pm Stadium: Exploria Stadium

2020 NWSL Challenge Cup

The format of the tournament will feature all nine NWSL clubs each playing four games in the preliminary rounds to determine seeding. The top eight teams will 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]

June 27 Preliminary roundChicago Red StarsWithdrewOrlando PrideHerriman, Utah
10:00pm Stadium: Zions Bank Stadium
July 1 Preliminary roundPortland ThornsWithdrewOrlando PrideHerriman, Utah
12:30pm Stadium: Zions Bank Stadium
July 5 Preliminary roundNorth Carolina CourageWithdrewOrlando PrideHerriman, Utah
10:00pm Stadium: Zions Bank Stadium
July 9 Preliminary roundOrlando PrideWithdrewSky Blue FCHerriman, Utah
10:00pm Stadium: Zions Bank Stadium

Transfers and loans

2020 NWSL College Draft

Draft picks are not automatically signed to the team roster. The 2020 college draft was held on January 16, 2020. Orlando had seven selections.[26]

Round Pick Player Pos. College Status
1 3 Taylor Kornieck MF University of Colorado Signed[27]
7 Courtney Petersen DF University of Virginia Signed[28]
2 10 Konya Plummer DF University of Central Florida Signed[28]
14 Phoebe McClernon DF University of Virginia Signed[lower-alpha 1][29]
3 21 Cheyenne Shorts DF University of Denver Signed[lower-alpha 1][29]
26 Abi Kim FW University of California, Berkeley TBD
4 30 Chelsee Washington MF Bowling Green State University Signed[lower-alpha 1][29]
  1. Signed short-term contract for NWSL Challenge Cup

Transfers in
Date Player Pos. 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. [30]
Caitlin Foord (NWSL rights only)[lower-alpha 1] FW
January 10, 2020 Carrie Lawrence DF UCF Knights Signed to supplemental roster [31]
February 10, 2020 Ali Riley DF Bayern Munich Signed via transfer using Allocation Money [32]
February 14, 2020 Erin McLeod GK Växjö DFF Free agent signing [33]
April 1, 2020 Jade Moore MF Reading Signed via transfer using Allocation Money [34]
June 21, 2020 Brittany Wilson GK Denver Pioneers Free agent signing, short-term contract for NWSL Challenge Cup [29]
  1. Elected to sign outside NWSL with Arsenal

Transfers out
Date Player Pos. Destination club Fee/Notes Ref.
January 10, 2020 Danica Evans FW Sporting de Huelva Waived [31]
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. [35][36]
January 22, 2020 Dani Weatherholt MF Reign FC Traded in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2021 NWSL Draft. [37]
February 4, 2020 Haley Kopmeyer GK Waived [38]
February 26, 2020 Joanna Boyles MF Retired [39]
June 21, 2020 Bridget Callahan MF Waived [29]
Carrie Lawrence DF Waived [29]
Lainey Burdett GK Waived [29]
August 5, 2020 Erin Greening DF Waived [40]
August 18, 2020 Emily Sonnett DF Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC [41]

Loans out
Date Player Pos. Loaned to Notes Ref.
July 13, 2020 Ali Riley DF FC Rosengård Until November 30, 2020, with right of recall [42]
August 12, 2020 Camila MF Palmeiras Until December 22, 2020 [43]
August 13, 2020 Phoebe McClernon DF Växjö DFF Until November 30, 2020 [44]
August 14, 2020 Erin McLeod GK Stjarnan Until October 20, 2020 [45]
August 18, 2020 Jade Moore MF Atlético Madrid Until February 15, 2021, with right of recall [41]

Preseason trialists

Orlando Pride began preseason training on March 9, 2020. The squad included six non-roster invitees on trial with the team during preseason.[46] Brittany Wilson was signed to a short-term contract for the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup.[29]

2020 Orlando Pride trialists
Player Position Previous team
Jaelyn Cunningham GK Illinois Fighting Illini
Brittany Wilson [A] GK Denver Pioneers
Madison Duncan DF 1. FC Slovácko
Jordyn Listro MF UDG Tenerife
Savanah Uveges MF Nebraska Cornhuskers
Kate Howarth FW New England Mutiny
  1. ^
    Signed to short-term contract.
    2.
gollark: You have ten times as many unnamed dragons as I have dragons.
gollark: Well, being a programmer, yes; my code is full of them.
gollark: Great, I missed BuG.
gollark: \g
gollark: I guess this is the apocalypse.

References
  1. Gartland, Dan (October 23, 2019). "USWNT Star Alex Morgan Expecting Baby Girl". Sports Illustrated.
  2. "Alex Morgan: USA striker expecting baby girl in April 2020". October 23, 2019 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  3. Zaccardi, Nick (2019-10-28). "Alex Morgan's Olympic return from pregnancy supported by new U.S. soccer coach". OlympicTalk. Retrieved 2019-11-05.
  4. "Alex Morgan and Servando Carrasco Welcome a Daughter". PEOPLE.com. Retrieved 2020-05-09.
  5. "Melbourne City FC signs Matildas international Emily Van Egmond". Melbourne City FC.
  6. "Melbourne City FC signs Scottish attacker Claire Emslie". Melbourne City FC.
  7. "Sydney FC Unveil Championship Defending Westfield W-League Squad". Sydney FC.
  8. "Pickett returns for third season in Brisbane orange". Brisbane Roar FC.
  9. "Five Orlando Pride Players Set to Join W-League Teams for 2019-20 Offseason". www.orlandocitysc.com.
  10. "W-League review: Melbourne City crowned Premiers, Western Sydney woes". ESPN.com. 23 February 2020.
  11. "Catley strike seals Melbourne City's record fourth Westfield W-League Championship". Westfield W-League. 21 March 2020.
  12. "Five players selected off NWSL Re-Entry Wire". www.nwslsoccer.com.
  13. Poe, Julia (13 November 2019). "Orlando Pride will not retain rights to Chloe Logarzo due to NWSL discrepancy". Pro Soccer USA.
  14. "Logarzo is a Robin". Bristol City.
  15. "Long-Time Soccer Executive Amanda Duffy Appointed to Lead Orlando Pride". Orlando City SC.
  16. "NWSL, CPL delay start of 2020 seasons due to Covid-19". SportBusiness. March 21, 2020.
  17. Poe, Julia (May 8, 2020). "Orlando Pride players grateful to resume individual workouts". Pro Soccer USA.
  18. "NWSL announces 2020 Challenge Cup presented by P&G and Secret". www.nwslsoccer.com.
  19. "Orlando Pride Statement Regarding 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup Participation". www.orlandocitysc.com.
  20. "Orlando Pride Roster". Orlando City SC. Retrieved November 5, 2019.
  21. "Orlando Pride Staff". Orlando Pride.
  22. "Board of Directors". Orlando City SC.
  23. "Orlando Pride Announces 2020 Preseason Schedule". www.orlandocitysc.com.
  24. "Statement from NWSL Commissioner Lisa Baird regarding the 2020 season". www.nwslsoccer.com. March 12, 2020.
  25. "NWSL Challenge Cup draw, schedule: Chicago Red Stars matched up against Orlando Pride in opener in Utah". CBSSports.com.
  26. "2020 NWSL Draft to take place in Baltimore, MD on January 16". www.nwslsoccer.com.
  27. "Orlando Pride Signs 2020 NWSL Draft No. 3 Overall Selection Taylor Kornieck". www.orlandocitysc.com.
  28. "Orlando Pride Signs 2020 NWSL Draft Selections Courtney Petersen & Konya Plummer". www.orlandocitysc.com.
  29. "Orlando Pride Announces Roster Moves Ahead of 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup". www.orlandocitysc.com.
  30. "Orlando Pride Trades for Emily Sonnett, Rights to Caitlin Foord and Pair of 2020 Draft Picks". www.orlandocitysc.com.
  31. "Orlando Pride Signs UCF Alumna Carrie Lawrence". www.orlandocitysc.com.
  32. "Orlando Pride Signs New Zealand Women's National Team Defender Ali Riley". www.orlandocitysc.com.
  33. "Orlando Pride Signs Canadian Goalkeeper Erin McLeod". www.orlandocitysc.com.
  34. "Orlando Pride Acquires English Midfielder Jade Moore". www.orlandocitysc.com.
  35. "Orlando Pride Trades to No. 3 Overall, Selects Midfielder Taylor Kornieck in the 2020 NWSL College Draft". www.orlandocitysc.com.
  36. "NWSL allocation money announcement". NWSL Media Association. January 27, 2020. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
  37. "Orlando Pride Acquires 2021 Second Round Draft Pick From Reign FC". www.orlandocitysc.com.
  38. "Orlando Pride Waive Goalkeeper Haley Kopmeyer". www.orlandocitysc.com.
  39. "Joanna Boyles announces retirement". Joanna Boyles instagram. February 26, 2020. Retrieved February 27, 2020.
  40. "Orlando Pride Waives Defender Erin Greening". www.orlandocitysc.com.
  41. "Pride's Sonnett to Join Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC, Moore Loaned to Atlético Madrid". www.orlandocitysc.com.
  42. "Orlando Pride Defender Ali Riley Loaned to FC Rosengård". www.orlandocitysc.com.
  43. "Orlando Pride Midfielder Camila Loaned to SE Palmeiras". www.orlandocitysc.com.
  44. https://twitter.com/SummitSGlobal/status/1293961155619237892
  45. "Orlando Pride Loan Goalkeeper Erin McLeod to Icelandic Side Ungmennafélag Stjarnan". www.orlandocitysc.com.
  46. "Orlando Pride Announce Preseason Opening Day Roster". www.orlandocitysc.com.
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