ORLANDO, Fla. (Aug. 15, 2022) — The Orlando Pride has added another threat to the attacking line, acquiring forward Ally Watt from OL Reign, it was announced today. In exchange, the Reign will receive $125,000 in Allocation Money.
“We are very excited to welcome Ally to Orlando and our Club, as we continue our roster build and push toward a place in the NWSL playoffs,” Orlando Pride General Manager Ian Fleming said. “Ally embodies our ideal profile of a young player with loads of potential, the pace and technical ability to match, and a mentality to put in the work necessary to develop herself and grow her impact on the pitch. We are confident that she will be a success as a member of our new-look Pride and we look forward to seeing her in purple very soon.”
Watt, 25, is a former first round draft pick, selected No. 6 overall by the North Carolina Courage in the 2020 NWSL Draft out of Texas A&M University. Prior to joining the Courage, Watt made her professional debut in Australia’s W-League, joining Melbourne City, where she won the 2019-20 Grand Final. Upon return to the U.S., Watt made her NWSL debut on June 27 in the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup, but suffered a season-ending ACL injury just minutes into her first match.
A native of Colorado Springs, Watt was acquired by the Reign via trade at the end of 2020 and returned from her injury to make five appearances in 2021. Through 22 matches across all competitions for the Reign’s 2022 season, Watt has appeared in all but one, totaling one goal and one assist on the year.
In College Station, Watt became Texas A&M's first two-time United Soccer Coaches All-America First Team honoree, while also earning three all-SEC First Team nods, 2019 SEC Forward of the Year and was a back-to-back MAC Hermann Trophy Semifinalist in 2018 and 2019.
Internationally, Watt appeared for the U.S. U20 Youth National Team in the 2016 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in Papua New Guinea, scoring two goals during the tournament.
TRANSACTION: Orlando Pride acquires forward Ally Watt via trade with OL Reign in exchange for $125,000 in Allocation Money.
Ally Watt
Position: Forward
Height: 5-8
Born: March 12, 1997 in Colorado Springs, Colo.
Hometown: Colorado Springs, Colo.
College: Texas A&M University
Citizenship: USA
