ORLANDO, Fla. (February 14, 2018) - Orlando Pride signs Australia National Team midfielder Emily van Egmond, bringing the veteran back for her second stint in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), pending receipt of her P-1 Visa and International Transfer Certificate (ITC). Per team and league policies, terms of the contract were not announced.
“Emily is high-quality, creative midfield player with a determined and winning attitude, and the ability to get forward and score goals,” Pride Head Coach Tom Sermanni said. “She also brings vast international experience to our squad, even though she’s only 24 years old. With World Cup, Olympic and Champions League experience, she is another strong addition to the Pride. We are thrilled to welcome her.”
Van Egmond’s signing with Orlando marks her return to the NWSL, having previously played three seasons in the United States. Previously, van Egmond was signed by Seattle Reign FC midway through the league’s inaugural season where she went on to make six appearances. She was later acquired by the Chicago Red Stars for the 2014 season, tallying two goals and two assists over 10 appearances.
Van Egmond, 24, joins Orlando following a brief stint in her home country with the Newcastle Jets in the Westfield W-League, appearing in all but two minutes over the team’s 12 matches, scoring four goals and adding five assists for the Australian club.
Prior to her time in Australia, van Egmond spent the 2015-16 and 2016-17 seasons in Germany, playing for 1. FFC Frankfurt in the first year and WfL Wolfsburg in the latter season. During her time with both clubs, van Egmond participated in the Frauen-Bundesliga, Germany's premier women’s league, and UEFA Women’s Champions League play. While with Wolfsburg, van Egmond scored six goals in 12 appearances, leading the club to the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal titles, Germany’s top two championship competitions. In her previous season with Frankfurt, van Egmond scored one goal in 17 appearances.
Before playing in Germany, van Egmond spent several season in the W-League, starting her professional career with Newcastle in 2008 before moving to Canberra United, Western Sydney Wanderers FC and eventually back to Newcastle over her eight seasons in Australia. The midfielder played her first season in Europe in 2011, signing with Danish side Fortuna Hjørring.
In 2012, van Egmond signed with Western New York Flash in the Women's Premier Soccer League Elite, alongside current Orlando Pride defender Toni Pressley. She helped the team clinch the WPSL-Elite championship, scoring the championship-winning fourth penalty kick to give the Flash the victory.
In addition to her sizable club career, van Egmond possesses a lengthy international resume, having played with the Australian national team since the age of 15. The vice-captain for the Matildas, Van Egmond has played a vital role for her country, appearing 66 matches and scoring 14 goals since her first call-up, which came in 2010 during the tenure of current Pride Head Coach Tom Sermanni.
As a member of the 2016 Olympic team, van Egmond played in all but one match for Australia, leading the team to the quarterfinals, alongside Orlando Pride defender Alanna Kennedy. During qualifiers, van Egmond scored two goals, helping Australia book its ticket to its first Olympic games since 2004.
A two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup participant, van Egmond aided Australia in defeating Brazil in the Round of 16 during the 2015 tournament in one the biggest upsets in World Cup history. During that tournament, she appeared in five matches for the Matildas. During the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup, van Egmond scored her first international goal on July 4 against Equatorial Guinea. Van Egmond appeared in three matches during her first World Cup.
Emily van Egmond (van-EGG-mund)
Position: Defender
Height: 5-10
Born: July 12, 1993 in Sydney, Australia
Hometown: Newcastle, Australia
College: n/a
Citizenship: Australia
Acquired: via Discovery on February 14, 2018
