Orlando Pride Signs Three Players to New Contracts

ORLANDO, Fla. (March 6, 2020) - Orlando Pride has signed midfielder Emily van Egmond, along with defenders Carson Pickett and Kristen Edmonds to new contracts ahead of the 2020 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) season. All three players return to the Pride on one-year deals, while Pickett’s contract includes an option for an additional year. 

“We’re very excited that Emily, Carson and Kristen have signed for the new season,” Orlando Pride Head Coach Marc Skinner said. “Coming off a strong season in Australia, we are really pleased to have Emily back in Orlando and look forward to continuing her great form and showing all of her qualities in a Pride jersey. It’s important that we continue to have players with technical qualities to compete at a really high level, and Carson fits that mold. Kristen has the ability to excel in 1v1 areas and this allows her to be a real threat. We’re looking forward to Kristen producing her best performances in the coming season.”

Van Egmond, 26, appeared in eight matches for the Pride in 2019 with seven starts, tallying one assist. Since joining the Pride in 2018, she has registered 25 appearances while adding two assists. The midfielder is currently in the midst of a strong season with W-League side Melbourne City FC, totaling a team-high six goals while leading the club to the 2019-20 Premiership as the best team in the regular season. 

A native of Newcastle, Australia, van Egmond has excelled on the international stage, with 95 caps for the Matildas to her resume. Making her senior national team debut at 15 years-old, van Egmond competed at her third FIFA Women’s World Cup this summer, competing in all four of Australia’s matches in France. In 2020, van Egmond has appeared in each of the Matildas’ three matches, scoring four goals and tallying three assists. 

Pickett, 26, returns to the Pride following a 2019 season where she made 20 appearances with 19 starts and one assist to her credit. The Florida State-product joined the Pride ahead of the 2018 season, via a multi-player trade with the formerly named Seattle Reign. Pickett is currently competing with Brisbane Roar in Australia’s W-League with three goals on the season. 

In 2016, Pickett was selected at No. 4 overall by the Reign, where she spent two seasons before being traded to Orlando. In that time, she recorded 36 appearances, making her professional debut on April 17, 2016 against Sky Blue. 

Edmonds, 32, registered 13 appearances for the Pride last season, eclipsing the 100-cap mark in NWSL play on Sept. 29 at Sky Blue. The New Jersey native will return to the Pride for her fifth season with the Club, having been with the team since its inception in 2016. 

Through her four seasons with the Pride, Edmonds has appeared in 70 matches, scoring nine goals while adding two assists. Edmonds sits at 102 appearances in league play through six seasons in the NWSL.

The Pride will open their 2020 campaign on Sunday, April 19, taking on Sky Blue FC at Exploria Stadium. Further information on single, season and group tickets can be found at orlando-pride.com or by calling (855) ORL-CITY.