ORLANDO, Fla. (Feb. 23, 2023) - The Orlando Pride have signed defender Kerry Abello to a new two-year contract, it was announced today. The deal will see Abello remain in Orlando through the 2024 National Women’s Soccer League season, with an option for an additional year.
“We are thrilled to come to terms with Kerry to see her remain in Orlando for the foreseeable future. In her first season in the league, we saw her grow immensely and she proved herself to be an extremely versatile player for us,” Orlando Pride VP of Soccer Operations and General Manager Haley Carter said. “We’re excited to see Kerry continue to progress throughout her career and couldn't be happier that it will be here, as a member of the Pride.”
Abello, 23, was selected at No. 24 overall by the Pride at the 2021 NWSL Draft. Throughout the 2022 campaign, the Penn State alum appeared 24 times across all competitions, including all but one of the Pride’s regular-season contests, tallying an assist on the year.
On the international level, Abello earned a call-up to the U-23 U.S. Women’s National Team a year ago for the Women’s U-23 Three-Nations Tournament, going on to score in that tournament in a 3-0 victory for the Stars and Stripes over Sweden. Prior to that, she had earned call-ups to numerous U.S. youth national teams over the course of her career.
At the collegiate level, Abello enjoyed a five-year career at Penn State. A three-time All-Big-Ten honoree, the Elmhurst, Ill native helped the Nittany Lions to three Big Ten titles, while earning All-North region honors twice throughout her career.
The Pride begin their 2023 NWSL season on Sunday, March 26 against the Portland Thorns in a 5 p.m. ET kickoff at Providence Park before returning to the City Beautiful on Sunday, April 2 to host Angel City FC at Exploria Stadium. Season Ticket Memberships for the 2023 campaign are currently on sale here.
The club will host an open preseason match tonight, February 23, against the Kansas City Current. Fans can RSVP for the 6:30 p.m. kickoff at the link here.
