ORLANDO, Fla. (Oct. 7, 2021) - Orlando Pride has signed midfielder Emily van Egmond and goalkeeper Kaylie Collins through the end of the 2021 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) season, it was announced today. Van Egmond will join the Pride pending receipt of a P-1 visa. Both signings were made prior to the NWSL roster freeze date of Sept. 30.
“We are all very pleased to have Emily returning to our Club and greatly look forward to her arrival. Emily is a proven talent in this league, already familiar with our environment, and has all the necessary abilities to slot into, reinforce, and make a strong positive impact upon our squad,” Orlando Pride GM Ian Fleming said. “As we work through the visa process, which has unfortunately been delayed due to COVID, we’re hopeful Emily is able to get to Orlando in the coming weeks to provide our team additional talent to close out the season and this important playoff push.”
“Kaylie has been with the Club since the conclusion of her final college season this past spring, and we're thrilled to have her under contract moving forward,” Fleming added. “Kaylie's talent, professionalism, and natural leadership ability have more than earned her this opportunity, and I am greatly looking forward to watching her continued development as a member of the Pride.”
Van Egmond, 28, returns for her second stint with the Pride after competing with FA Women’s Super League side West Ham United during the 2020-21 season, where she was originally acquired via a loan from the Pride. Van Egmond made 21 total appearances for West Ham, netting four goals.
Prior to her stint in England, van Egmond spent over two seasons with the Pride, signing with the team on Feb. 14, 2018. The Australian made 25 appearances in purple in that span, recording two assists.
Before her time in The City Beautiful, van Egmond enjoyed a Club career that spread across Australia’s W-League, Germany and in the Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL) Elite as a member of the Western New York Flash, winning a title in the 2012 season.
In addition to her sizable Club career, van Egmond possesses a lengthy international resume, having played with the Australian national team since the age of 15. A co-captain for the Matildas, van Egmond has played a vital role for her country, appearing in 106 matches and scoring 23 goals since her first call-up in 2010.
Van Egmond recently appeared in the Australian squad for the 2020 Olympics, playing every minute for her national team's Olympic run. Australia made it to the bronze medal match, but lost to the U.S. WNT by a score of 4-3.
Collins, 23, was selected with the Pride’s final selection in the 2021 NWSL Draft (No. 34 overall) out of the University of Southern California and most recently was inked as a National Team Replacement Player for the Pride.
The 2018 Pac-12 Goalkeeper of the Year, Collins remained at USC to complete the 2021 Spring season before joining the Pride earlier this year. Over her time as a Trojan, Collins earned United Soccer Coaches All-America honors, a Top-Drawer Soccer Best XI nod and an appearance on the All-Region First Team and was a two-time All Pac-12 honoree.
In four seasons of action, Collins totaled 66 appearances, registering 210 saves, 27 shutouts and a 0.791 goals against average.
The Pride return to play on Saturday, Oct. 9, hosting NJ/NY Gotham FC in a 7 p.m. ET kickoff at Exploria Stadium. Tickets are available at Orlando-Pride.com or by calling (855) ORL-CITY.
Emily van Egmond (van-EGG-mund)
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5-10
Born: July 12, 1993 in Sydney, Australia
Hometown: Newcastle, Australia
College: n/a
Citizenship: Australia
Kaylie Collins
Position: Goalkeeper
Number: 18
Height: 5-10
Born: May 17, 1998
Hometown: Clayton, Calif.
College: University of Southern California
Citizenship: USA
