The young defender's impressive performance for Orlando Pride has turned the head of Emma Hayes.
In fact, she’s never even made an appearance for the team. This young defender just helped the Orlando Pride clinch its first National Women’s Soccer League Shield. Coaches, teammates, and analysts agree, the future of U.S. soccer is Emily Sams.at the 2024 Olympics. “To be on the national team has been my goal from the start, and although I didn’t get a cap, I got a medal.
Sams became the first player to sign with the NWSL before even entering the draft, and once picked up by the Pride via the 2023 NWSL college draft, the Idaho native broke records, playing the most minutes of all the rookies in the NWSL and leading all rookies in total blocks and total clearances . Now, she’s helped lead the stingiest defense in the league to its first Shield win in club history.
Through the leadership of Hines and Carter, Sams has been able to commit herself to her individual game, and bring her all every day for her teammates—a group of bought-in and committed individuals who want to play for one another, and play to win. Sams might have a team-first mentality, but the stat sheet shows how crucial she’s been this season and how much she has grown since her rookie year. In addition to the league-leading shutouts, Sams has scored a goal and notched an assist, and boasts 151 recoveries going into the second to last matchday of the season, fourth most of any defender.
The Pride, a 2016 expansion team, has seen its fair share of ups and downs. The Florida side has consistently found themselves at or near the bottom of the table, even with stars like Alex Morgan, Ali Kriegerand Sydney Leroux on previous rosters. In its short history, the team has seen a changeover in the head coaching position, including three in the last four seasons. Hines has brought stability to the role, allowing the players, and Sams, to thrive.
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