ORLANDO, Fla. (Dec. 5, 2023) — The Orlando Pride and defender Emily Madril have agreed to a new contract through the 2026 season, it was announced today. Madril was originally drafted by the Pride with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2023 NWSL Draft and came just three minutes away from earning Iron Woman recognition, given to those who play every minute of a season.
“Emily came in and made an immediate impact, just as we expected she would when we drafted her,” VP of Soccer Operations and General Manager Haley Carter said. “She was a reliable presence in our backline throughout the entire season and showed her potential to be one of the best defenders in the league. Her maturity and professionalism shined throughout the entire year, and we are very happy to be able to have her with the Pride for the years to come. She is an important part of what we are building here, and she wants to be a part of it, which we are very excited about.”
“I had a great rookie year here and had so much fun and love everyone in the Orlando Pride organization,” defender Emily Madril said. “The chemistry that we have in the locker room between all the girls and the entire coaching staff is just amazing and played a big factor in me wanting to stay here in Orlando. I am so excited to be a part of the Pride for the future and continue to be a part of the special thing we are building here.”
In her rookie season with the Pride, Madril played the most minutes of all the rookies in the NWSL (1977) and also led all rookies in total blocks (18) and total clearances (73). Overall, the defender made a total of 27 appearances across all competitions, playing in all 22 regular season matches and five UKG Challenge Cup games.
Madril joined the Pride following a decorated collegiate career at Florida State University, where she made 62 appearances and collected six goals and seven assists. The Navarre, Florida native, was named the 2021 ACC Defensive Player of the Year where she anchored a defense that allowed just 13 goals in 25 games and earning 14 clean sheets. She earned United Soccer Coaches All-American honors, while also being named to the United Soccer Coaches All-Atlantic Region First Team, TopDrawer Soccer Best XI First Team, College Cup All-Tournament Team, ACC All-Tournament Team and All-ACC First Team. Madril also helped the Seminoles win two NCAA National Championships during her time there.
In 2022, Madril elected to forgo her final season at Florida State and signed a contract directly with the NWSL, allowing the defender to be loaned out to Swedish side BK Häcken FF before returning for the 2023 NWSL Draft. In Sweden, Madril made four appearances and scored one goal during her time there.
On an international level, Madril has received call-ups to the U19, U20 and U23 U.S. women’s national teams.
TRANSACTION: Orlando Pride signs defender Emily Madril to a three-year contract through the 2026 season.
