Emily Sams signs huge Orlando Pride deal, but what comes next? | OneFootball

The Orlando Pride is signing down a leader, a crucial piece in the team's system, and one of the best defenders in women's soccer in recent history. Emily Sams, 2024 NWSL Defender of the Year, will stay through 2027.

The re-signing that ensures a winning future

Clutching Sams in Orlando isn't just about retaining one of the league's top defenders—it's an investment in a winning product in the long run. Having shattered defensive records, won the NWSL Shield, and lifted the league trophy, Sams is the face of Pride's new era.

The defender redefining Orlando Pride

Since the time she was selected as the third overall choice at the 2023 NWSL Draft, Sams ensured to put in the effort to demonstrate her worth. Only two years later, she has become the spine of the Pride's defense with solid statistics, and a leader off and on the field.

In 2024, Sams put up numbers that just can't be ignored. She ranked second in the league in ball recoveries (163) and led the team in defensive third possessions (108), clearances (76), and blocks (16). She was the motor behind a backline that shattered NWSL records, including 13 clean sheets and a 554-minute shutout streak.

A new contract for a new era

If 2024 cemented Sams as a league superstar, her new deal to 2027 proves Orlando Pride is building for the future on the shoulders of the player. Club Vice President and Sporting Director Haley Carter made the club's intentions clear: "Emily embodies all that we value as a Pride player — remarkable talent, unwavering commitment, and outstanding leadership on and off the field."

This extension is not a technical decision; it's a strategic one. In a league where competition for the top talent has never been fiercer, keeping a premier defender on board is a message. The Pride is not in the business of being supporting cast.

In addition, this signing reinforces continuity in a side that has already proved its worth. The Pride is not just chasing trophies; it's laying foundations to become an NWSL power for the next decade or more.

Impact on the USWNT

Sams' amazing season also impacted the U.S. Women's National Team (USWNT). Her first national team summons in 2024 was the highlight of her career, and her debut against Iceland in October proved that she can play internationally at the very top level.

And just to add some more fuel to the fire, Sams was also a part of the gold medal-winning team at the 2024 Paris Olympics, making her one of the brightest defensive stars in the world.

Her quick rise creates a very pressing question: What's the place of Sams in the national team's future? With her contract extension, it can be expected that she will further grow and be an integral cog of the USWNT defense.