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]
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 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]
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]
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.
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 short-term contract for NWSL Challenge Cup.
^
Signed to short-term contract for Fall Series.
References
^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.
D45
.svg/1280px-Flag_of_Canada_(Pantone).svg.png)
Slavia Prague
.svg/1280px-Flag_of_Belgium_(civil).svg.png)
UDG Tenerife
ASPTT Albi
FC Rosengård
Marc Skinner
University of Colorado
University of Virginia
University of Central Florida
University of California, Berkeley
Bowling Green State University
.svg/1280px-Flag_of_Australia_(converted).svg.png)
Caitlin Foord (NWSL rights only)[a]
Ali Riley
Bayern Munich
Gintra Universitetas
Åland United
Celtic
Klepp IL
Stjarnan
Apollon Limassol
