On the eve of preseason training kicking off on Monday, the Orlando Pride announced on Sunday afternoon that they have signed goalkeeper Carly Nelson to a two-year contract through 2024, with an option for 2025.

“We are excited to add Carly to our group for the coming season,” Orlando Pride head coach Seb Hines said in a club release. “She’s a very talented goalkeeper with a few years of professional experience already under her belt, who will add even more competition amongst a very talented goalkeeper group. We’re happy to welcome her here to Orlando and look forward to having her as a member of the Pride.”

Following the departure of starting goalkeeper Erin McLeod last week, Nelson joins a competitive group of players who are vying for the starting gig now, with Anna Moorhouse and Kaylie Collins also in the mix.

Nelson, previously a member of both OL Reign and the Kansas City Current (making just four appearances in 2021), has spent the last two seasons with FC Nordsjælland of the Danish top flight, appearing in 32 matches across all competitions, posting nine clean sheets in that span.

The Pride begins their 2023 preseason on Monday at Sylvan Lake Park in Sanford, Hines’ first as permanent head coach of the club.

What this means for the 2023 Orlando Pride

Nelson joins the goalkeeper corps of Orlando, fighting for a starting job that is up for the taking. Preseason will most likely be spent with her, Moorhouse, and Collins vying for the number one spot, battling it out to see who will start day one. Currently, Nelson has more NWSL league starts than both the other goalkeepers combined, which isn’t saying much based on how much playing time they have all gotten. The job for the Pride’s netminder could very well be the biggest question for the team heading into the season. — (via OSJ’s Austin David)

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