2016 Orlando Pride season


The 2016 season was Orlando Pride's inaugural season. The team competes in the National Women's Soccer League, the top division of women's soccer in the United States.

Team launch

The team was launched at a press conference held at Lake Eola Park in Downtown Orlando on October 20, 2015. At that time, it was announced that Tom Sermanni, previously the manager of both the Australian and United States women's national teams, would be the team's first manager. It was also announced that the team would share its home with Orlando City SC, beginning at Camping World Stadium in 2016, and eventually moving to Orlando City Stadium.

Squad information

Roster

The NWSL held an Expansion Draft to populate the Pride's roster on November 2, 2015. The Pride held the first pick in the 2016 NWSL College Draft, though it traded that pick to Portland Thorns FC in exchange for Alex Morgan and Kaylyn Kyle. It will get the first pick in the subsequent rounds of the College Draft. Orlando will also receive top priority in player discovery and the waiver wire.

NWSL College Draft

Draft picks are not automatically signed to the team roster. The 2016 NWSL College Draft was held on January 15, 2016. Orlando had three selections.
RoundPickPlayerCollegeStatus
110

Match results

National Women's Soccer League

It was announced on February 17, 2016, that the Pride would open their inaugural season on the road on April 17 at Portland Thorns FC, and would host Houston Dash for their home opener on April 23. The remainder of the schedule was released the next day.
The Pride's "local opponent" by league definition is the Houston Dash. They will play the Dash four times this year, and every other team home-and-away.

Honors and awards

NWSL Awards

[NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year]

PlayerSavesGoals-Against-AverageAppearancesRef.

NWSL Weekly Awards">2016 National Women's Soccer League season">NWSL Weekly Awards

[NWSL Player of the Week]

WeekResultPlayerRef.
12Won

[NWSL Goal of the Week]

WeekResultPlayerRef.
1Won

[NWSL Save of the Week]

WeekResultPlayerRef.
2Won

Media

All NWSL matches not aired through their national contract with Fox Sports 1 are livestreamed on the NWSL's YouTube channel. Orlando Pride home matches are being called by Orlando City play-by-play announcer Jeff Radcliffe and color commentator Becky Burleigh, head coach of the Florida Gators women's soccer team.

Squad statistics

Source: NWSL