Orlando Pride option Summer Yates for still more game-winning goals

Orlando Pride just showed they have no intention of slowing down in their greatest season ever. They exercised their option with forward Summer Yates.

Forward Summer Yates has exceeded the team's and supporters' expectations since the Orlando Pride drafted her in 2023. So in the Pride’s greatest season ever, the team has exercised their option to keep the brilliant forward on the squad longer.

The team has exercised her mutual option for the 2026 season. Yes, this is the greatest season, but the Orlando Pride has signaled they have no intention of slowing down soon.

Yates has scored five goals and one assist while playing in all but one match for the Orlando Pride this season.  Three of those goals are game-winners.

The first game-winner came at home against the San Diego Wave. The second was a finish from the penalty spot on the road against the Washington Spirit.

The third game-winner was on the road against the Houston Dash. That one was also the only score in the match. And it ensured a record for the Orlando Pride – the longest unbeaten streak in NWSL league history.

If you studied a snapshot of the pass setting up the record-breaking goal by Summer Yates against the Dash, you’d predict the match ended in a draw. The seeing-eye pass came in the 67th minute from midfielder Angelina.

She and Yates knew exactly where she would be as the ball rolled through the heart of the Dash defense. There it was received calmly by Yates and directed into the goal.

Scouting reports on Summer Yates note her nose for distribution, finishing, and the goal – which she proved in the record match against the Houston Dash. Those reports drove the Orlando Pride to draft her in the fourth round, no. 39 overall, in the 2023 NWSL draft.

And it’s with the Orlando Pride she’ll stay through the post-season, producing more game-winning goals.