ORLANDO, Fla. (July 17, 2024) — Orlando Pride has signed forward Ally Watt to a new contract that will keep the forward in Orlando through the 2025 season, with a mutual option for 2026, it was announced today.
“Over the last couple years, we have really seen Ally grow both on the field and off. She has worked incredibly hard to be the fittest she has been in her career, and it shows through the impact she brings to our front line,” VP of Soccer Operations and General Manager Haley Carter said. “Ally brings great competitiveness to the forward position on our team, while also being a great influence on our team culture. We’re excited for her to continue pushing herself and her teammates to be the best versions of themselves, and to have her continue as a vital part of what we are building.”
“We’re building something very special here in Orlando and I am grateful that I get to continue to be a part of it,” Watt said. “I feel I have only grown since I’ve been here and I’m more than excited to keep developing my game. This team and organization are my family and staying here in Orlando to play in front of some of the best fans makes me so happy! Vamos Pride!”
Watt originally joined the Pride during the 2022 season via trade with OL Reign and has since appeared in 45 matches for the Pride across all competitions, finding the back of the net six times while also registering two assists. Watt scored in her debut for the Pride, earning the game-winning goal in a 2-1 victory over NJ/NY Gotham FC after coming on as a second half substitute in 2022. In 2023, Watt also registered the fastest goal in Pride history as she found the back of the net just 39 seconds into a match against the North Carolina Courage.
So far in 2024, Watt has appeared in 15 of the Club’s 16 matches and has scored two goals to go along with one assist. Her first goal of the season was a first-half finish that came against the team the drafted her, the Courage, on May 1. Her second goal capped off a 6-0 rout of the Utah Royals on June 21 after she came on as a substitute and hit the back of the net in second half stoppage time.
The former First Round draft pick was selected No. 6 overall by the North Carolina Courage in the 2020 NWSL Draft. Prior to joining the Courage, Watt made her professional debut in Australia’s W-League with Melbourne City where she played a role in helping the Club win the 2019-20 Grand Final. Watt returned to the U.S. and made her NWSL debut in the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup, unfortunately suffering a season-ending ACL injury just minutes into her first match.
Watt was later acquired by the Reign via trade at the end of 2020 season and would go on to make five appearances in 2021 after returning from her injury. Before Watt joined the Pride in 2022, she appeared in 21 of 22 possible matches across all competitions for the Reign and recorded one goal and one assist.
TRANSACTION: Orlando Pride signs forward Ally Watt to a two-year contract through the 2025 season, with a mutual option for 2026.
