ORLANDO, Fla. (June 26, 2024) — Orlando Pride defender Emily Sams has earned her first call up to the senior U.S. Women’s National Team, it was announced on Wednesday. Sams will represent the USWNT as a training player during the USA’s training camp in New Jersey leading up to the match against Mexico on July 13 ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Sams has been an anchor on the backline of the Pride since getting drafted by the Club before the 2023 season. This year, she has played in 12 of Pride’s 13 matches while also recording her first professional assist against Racing Louisville and her first professional goal against the Seattle Reign, which was a nice finish from outside the box. She has helped the Pride to six clean sheets so far this season, which is tied for the most in the NWSL while playing in multiple different positions along the backline.
In her rookie season in 2023, Sams came just three minutes away from earning Iron Woman recognition, given to those who play every minute of a season, playing the most minutes of all rookies in the NWSL. The Florida State University product also led all rookies in total blocks (18) and total clearances (73).
She has previously represented the USWNT at the youth level getting called into U19, U20 and U23 teams.
