ORLANDO, Fla. (Feb. 23, 2021) — Orlando Pride has signed forward Crystal Thomas, it was announced today. Thomas, who comes to the Pride after joining the team recently for a preseason trial, has been signed to a one-year deal.
“We are very pleased to be able to add Crystal to the squad as we continue to build toward the coming season. She brings a style of play that will add another dimension for us on the field and I'm confident the best is yet to come for her,” Orlando Pride General Manager Ian Fleming said.
Thomas, 27, joined the National Women’s Soccer League in 2017 after signing with the Washington Spirit following an impressive showing as an undrafted trialist. After one season with the Spirit, Thomas played with Norweigen side Medkila IL and Iceland’s Valur, making 10 and 18 appearances, respectively. Following the 2018 season with Valur, where she scored five goals, Thomas was re-signed by the Spirit during the 2019 season.
Across all competitions, the Chicago-area native has totaled 18 NWSL appearances with four goals and two assists, including being named Week 20 NWSL Player of the Week during the 2019 campaign.
Between the 2019-20 NWSL season, Thomas joined Australia’s Perth Glory where she scored two goals in 10 appearances.
Collegiately, Thomas started her career at the University of Notre Dame where she featured for her freshman and sophomore seasons. After appearing in each of the Fighting Irish’s matches during her first year, Thomas was named to the All-BIG EAST Rookie Team as well as All-BIG EAST Second Team. After two seasons, Thomas transferred to Georgetown University where she would go on to score 19 goals and eight assists in 47 matches. In an 11 goal senior campaign, Thomas scored the Hoyas’ lone goal in a 1-0 NCAA tournament quarterfinal win over Santa Clara.
Internationally, Thomas earned her first call-up to the U.S. U20 Women’s National Team in 2013 and was later named to the U23 roster in 2017 for their January camp.
The Pride will begin play in the 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup the weekend of April 9, with the regular season kicking off the weekend of May 15. Season ticket memberships and Pick 4 ticket plans are now available at Orlando-Pride.com or by calling (855) ORL-CITY.
TRANSACTION: Orlando Pride signs forward Crystal Thomas to a one-year contract.
Crystal Thomas
Position: Forward
Height: 5-4
Born: Jan. 18, 1994 in Elgin, Ill.
Hometown: Elgin, Ill.
College: Georgetown University
Citizenship: USA
