Marc Skinner, defensive struggles, and COVID-19 (2019-2021)
In January 2019, Marc Skinner stepped down from his role at FA WSL side Birmingham City to become the Pride's second ever head coach. [22]
In May 2019, plans were unveiled to build a dedicated training facility at Sylvan Lake Park, the first-ever training facility in the NWSL that is tailored to and used exclusively by a women's team. The Pride plan to finish out the 2019 season at their current facility located at Seminole Soccer Complex before moving to the new state-of-the art training ground prior to the start of the 2020 season. [23]
The Pride's 2019 season was once again characterized by the absences of key players. As the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup occurred in the middle of the NWSL season, the Pride temporarily lost Alex Morgan, Ali Krieger, and Ashlyn Harris; Brazilian internationals Marta and Camila; Australian internationals Emily van Egmond and Alanna Kennedy; and Canadian international Shelina Zadorsky. [24] Concurrently, new coach Marc Skinner sought to implement a more possession-based style. [25] This transition, in conjunction with player absences, contributed to one of the worst records in league history. The team finished the season in last place with a record of 4–4–16, having conceded a league record 53 goals in 24 games. [26] [27]
To address their defensive fragility, the Pride traded their 2020 NWSL Draft No. 1 pick to the Portland Thorns in exchange for defender Emily Sonnett. The Thorns also traded the NWSL rights to forward Caitlin Foord, as well as the No. 7 and No. 14 draft picks in the 2020 draft. [28] With the introduction of allocation money, the Pride also signed veteran defender Ali Riley and defensive midfielder Jade Moore. [29] [30] The waiving, trading, or departure of 16 players signaled the team's intention to overhaul the roster. [31]
The start of the regular 2020 season was halted by the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. [32] In June and July 2020, the NWSL held the 25-game 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup tournament in a "bubble" environment in Utah. However, the Orlando Pride was forced to withdraw when multiple players and staff tested positive for COVID-19. [33] As a result, the Pride solely played in the 2020 Fall Series, which began in September and featured a regional "pod" structure that only guaranteed four games for each team. [34] Many veteran players had opted to sign loan or short-term contracts overseas for additional playing time, resulting in the Pride playing with a depleted roster. [26] The Pride came last in their pod, aggregating a record of 2 draws and 2 losses. [35] Amidst the Fall Series, the Pride exercised the contract option to keep Marc Skinner through the 2021 season. [36]
Prior to the 2021 season, the Pride continued to rebuild the team and club structure. The organization hired Ian Fleming as Orlando Pride general manager and former NWSL managing director Amanda Duffy as the team's first executive vice president. [37] In December 2020, the Pride traded Emily Sonnett to the Washington Spirit in exchange for midfielder Meggie Dougherty Howard, the 2021 NWSL College Draft No. 9 pick, an additional conditional first-round draft pick in the upcoming draft, and $140,000 in allocation money. [38] Another 17 players were waived, traded, or otherwise departed, including stalwarts like Alanna Kennedy, Camila, Shelina Zadorsky, Emily van Egmond, Kristen Edmonds, and Carson Pickett. [39] [40] [41] Defensive additions like Amy Turner, Kylie Strom, Courtney Petersen (No. 7 draft pick), and Phoebe McClernon (no. 14 draft pick); midfield reinforcements like Gunnhildur Jónsdóttir and Erika Tymrak; and a resurgence from the forward line, helped facilitate an improved record. [41] [42] On April 22, 2021, the Pride won their first competitive match in 609 days as part of the 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup. [43] The team began their season with a seven-game unbeaten streak. [44]
On May 12, 2021, Orlando City majority owner Flávio Augusto da Silva announced he was in advanced negotiations with Zygi and Mark Wilf, owners of the Minnesota Vikings of the NFL, for the sale of the club including the Orlando Pride and other related soccer assets. The combined value of the deal was estimated at $400–450 million. [45] On July 21, 2021, the sale was completed. [46]
On July 23, 2021, Marc Skinner resigned to become the head coach of Manchester United W.F.C.; assistant coach Carl Green served as interim coach for one game prior to his own departure. [47] [48] On July 25, former University of Florida coach Becky Burleigh became the Pride's interim coach for the rest of season. [49] After a late-season slide, the Orlando Pride finished the regular season in 8th place with a 7–7–10 record and missed out on the playoffs. [50]
Amanda Cromwell and Seb Hines (interim) (2022-2023)
After several months of searching, the Orlando Pride hired UCLA head coach Amanda Cromwell as head coach on December 7, 2021. [51] The Pride also hired former USWNT player Michelle Akers as an assistant coach. [52] Additionally, the Pride's roster saw substantial turnover as co-captains Ali Krieger and Ashlyn Harris were traded to NJ/NY Gotham FC, Alex Morgan was traded to San Diego Wave FC, and Ali Riley (and in the summer, Sydney Leroux) were traded to Angel City FC. [53] [54] [55] In turn, the Pride acquired Welsh midfielder Angharad James, right-back Celia, defender Megan Oyster, goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse, and forward Ally Watt (among others) throughout the season. [53] Defender Kerry Abello, the 2021 No. 24 draft pick, was also officially signed. [56] Early in the 2022 season, the Pride showed some defensive improvement, but overall progress was halted as Marta tore her ACL and was placed on the season-ending injury list. [57]
On June 7, 2022, the NWSL and the Pride placed Cromwell and assistant coach Sam Greene on "temporary administrative leave" for "retaliation in violation of the NWSL Policy to Prevent and Eliminate Workplace Discrimination, Harassment, and Bullying"; the league also placed the Pride under a roster freeze to prevent any potential retaliatory trades or player waivers. [58] [59] Cromwell and Greene's suspensions were conferred based on policies developed in the wake of the 2021 investigation into systematic misconduct and harassment throughout the league. [59] Assistant coach Seb Hines was made interim head coach, making him the first Black coach in the NWSL. [59] [60] Hines oversaw the final 15 matches of the season, during which the Pride boasted a seven-game unbeaten streak and increased both offensive and defensive production. [61] On October 10, 2022, following the league's investigation, Cromwell and Greene were formally terminated based on findings of "verbal abuse, 'improper favoritism,' and retaliation." [62] [63] Ultimately, the Pride finished the season in 10th of 12th place and with a 5–7–10 record. [50]
The Pride officially made Seb Hines their permanent head coach on November 11, 2022. [61]
