ORLANDO, Fla. (Jan. 30, 2021) — Heading into the 2021 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) preseason, Orlando Pride has acquired midfielder Gunnhildur “Gunny” Jónsdóttir and the rights to midfielder Erika Tymrak from Kansas City. In exchange, the new NWSL club will receive forward Kristen Edmonds and the Pride’s natural second round selection in the 2022 NWSL Draft.
“We're extremely pleased to add Gunny to our squad. Her experience, both within this league and at the international level, paired with her skill and versatility will add a dimension to how we play. Her ability will not only bring the best out of her, but will raise our level of play as a team,” Orlando Pride General Manager Ian Fleming said. “I was also very excited to find that Erika wanted to return to the sport and, specifically, to be a part of the Pride family. She is a proven competitor at this level, reflected by her accolades in this league and past experience with the U.S. Women’s National Team. I look forward to seeing her back at her best as a member of our Club.”
A member of the Iceland national team, Jónsdóttir joined the Royals during the team’s inaugural campaign in 2018. Over three seasons in Salt Lake City, the 32-year-old totaled two goals and six assists in 52 appearances, including the first-ever goal in team history.
Jónsdóttir began her club career with Stjarnan in Iceland, making her professional debut at the age of 14 and compiled 119 appearances and 25 goals from 2003-12. Jónsdóttir had much success with Stjarnan, including being named the team’s Most Valuable Player in 2011 and won five trophies over a two-year span. The midfielder played for multiple Icelandic teams before joining the NWSL in 2018.
Jónsdóttir earned her first call-up with the national team in 2013 and has since compiled a lengthy resume with the Top 20 ranked team. In 2017, Jónsdóttir helped lead her nation to the top of its group to qualify for the UEFA Women’s Championship, scoring two goals along the way. To date, the midfielder has totaled 74 caps and 10 goals at the international level.
Born in Garðabær, Iceland, Jónsdóttir holds a Green Card and will not occupy an international spot on the Pride’s roster.
The 2013 NWSL Rookie of the Year, Tymrak will return to the game after retiring in January 2020. Over two seasons with Utah, the 29-year-old totaled one goal and two assists in 30 appearances. Prior to joining the Royals, Tymrak played five seasons with FC Kansas City where she won back-to-back NWSL Championships in 2014 and 2015. Over her seven year career, Tymrak boasts 125 NWSL appearances and 19 goals, and has also played at the club level internationally for Bayern Munich (Germany) and Melbourne City (Australia).
A Florida native, Tymrak grew up in Lakewood Ranch and attended the University of Florida. In Gainesville, Tymrak was a multi-time NSCAA All-America honoree and named to the 2009 SEC All-Freshman team. Upon graduation, Tymrak went into the Gators’ all-time record book third in assists (40) and sixth in points (104).
On the international stage, Tymrak earned her first call-up to the U.S. Women’s National Team in August 2013 and made her debut just two weeks later on September 3. In her second-ever cap, a Nov. 10, 2013 friendly against Brazil in Orlando, Tymrak scored her first international goal.
Edmonds, 33, has been a member of the Pride since the team’s first season. Over five seasons, the New Jersey native made 72 appearances, tallying 10 goals and two assists. In 2016, the Club’s inaugural year, Edmonds finished as the team’s Golden Boot winner with the most goals during that campaign.
“While we're sad to see Kristen moving on, I'm very happy that she is going to have a fantastic opportunity to be a part of an exciting project in Kansas City,” Fleming said. “Kristen has been with the Pride since the Club's inception, and we are indebted to her time spent helping to build it to where we stand today. We wish her nothing but the best moving forward and thank her for everything she has done for both our Club and the Orlando community.”
The NWSL will begin its 2021 season on Monday, Feb. 1, with the Pride kicking off preseason training at the Orlando Pride Training Ground at Sylvan Lake Park. Season Ticket Memberships for the 2021 season are also available at Orlando-Pride.com or by calling (855) ORL-CITY.
TRANSACTION: Orlando Pride acquires Gunnhildur Jónsdóttir and the rights to Erika Tymrak from Kansas City in exchange for Kristen Edmonds and Orlando’s natural second round pick in the 2022 NWSL Draft.
Gunnhildur “Gunny” Jónsdóttir (yawns-daughter)
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5-5
Born: Sept. 28, 1988 in Garðabær, Iceland
Hometown: Garðabær, Iceland
Citizenship: ISL/USA
Erika Tymrak (tim-rack)
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5-5
Born: Aug. 7, 1991 in Detroit, Mich.
Hometown: Lakewood Ranch, Fla.
College: University of Florida
Citizenship: USA
