ORLANDO, Fla. (Aug. 6, 2021) - Orlando Pride has signed midfielder Viviana Villacorta to a one-year contract with an option for an additional year, it was announced today. Subsequently, the Pride placed Villacorta on the season-ending disabled list.
“Viviana has a very bright future ahead of her, and her current injury does not change her ability to grow and develop into the player we all know she can become,” Orlando Pride General Manager Ian Fleming said. “In the meantime, we're going to monitor her progress and provide her with the resources necessary to regain her health and fitness, all while being in our Club’s environment where she can integrate into the squad this year. We're very pleased to have her join the Club and be a member of the Pride."
Villacorta, 22, was selected by the Pride at No. 9 overall in the 2021 NWSL College Draft out of the University of California Los Angeles. The midfielder returned to UCLA following the Draft for her senior season but picked up a season-ending injury against Pepperdine on February 7 of this year.
A product out of UCLA, Villacorta appeared in every potential game for the Bruins from 2017-20, until her injury, totaling 72 appearances with 60 starts. A two-time All-Pac-12 honoree, Villacorta found the back of the net seven times in three seasons with the Bruins, adding 16 assists.
On the international stage, the 22-year-old has appeared for the U.S. Women’s National Team at the U-18, U-19 and U-20 levels, a starter for the U.S. at the 2018 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.
TRANSACTION: Orlando Pride signs midfielder Viviana Villacorta to a one-year contract with an option for an additional year.
Viviana Villacorta
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5-7
Born: February 2, 1999 in Torrance, Calif.
Hometown: Lawndale, Calif.
College: UCLA
Citizenship: USA
