ORLANDO, Fla. (July 18, 2024) — The Orlando Pride have signed midfielder Claire Winter and goalkeeper Kenna Caldwell to National Team Replacement Player contracts, it was announced today. The duo will occupy roster spaces for the Pride during the international stretch that will see seven Pride players represent their respective countries in the 2024 Paris Olympics. The pair will be available for selection starting with Orlando’s opening group stage match of the NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup against the North Carolina Courage on Saturday, July 20.
“Kenna and Claire have both put in a massive amount of work and we’re excited to reward them with these contracts,” Orlando Pride VP of Soccer Operations and General Manager Haley Carter said. “Kenna has added further competition and depth to our goalkeeping corps since joining us in preseason. Claire, although she joined us only a few weeks ago, has already established herself within the group and continues to push herself and everyone around her to perform. Both athletes are infectiously positive and have integrated seamlessly into our environment. We’re thankful for their contributions and look forward to helping them further develop their game during this period.”
Caldwell has been with the Pride since the start of preseason after finishing up her collegiate career at Texas A&M University. Owning 72 career caps as an Aggie, Caldwell shined during the 2020-21 season as she played 12 matches for an A&M squad that earned the SEC regular-season title and advanced to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament. That season she posted a 0.892 goals-against average along with seven shutouts and an 8-3-1 record. In her 2023 season, as a fifth-year senior, she started in 17 matches, logging 1,550 minutes in goal and made 55 saves.
Winter joins the Pride after finishing up stints with Thisted FC of the Danish 2nd Division and Treaty United FC of the League of Ireland Women's Premier Division. She previously was signed to a National Team Replacement Player contract with NJ/NY Gotham FC in 2021. Winter played collegiately at UCLA and was part of the team that won the 2013 Division I National Championship. As a senior, she co-captained her team and logged 918 minutes with 11 starts. Winter has also played professionally with Puerto Rico Sol FC and RCD Espanyol de Barcelona.
TRANSACTION: Orlando Pride sign midfielder Claire Winter and goalkeeper Kenna Caldwell as National Team Replacement Players.
Claire Winter
Position: Midfielder
Number: 36
Height: 5-3
Born: March 21 1995, in Lafayette, Calif.
Hometown: Lafayette, Calif.
Citizenship: USA
Kenna Caldwell
Position: Goalkeeper
Number: 38
Height: 6-0
Born: Aug. 29, 2000, in Littleton, Colo.
Hometown: Lone Tree, Colo.
Citizenship: USA
