ORLANDO, Fla. (March 11, 2024) — Orlando Pride and goalkeeper McKinley Crone have agreed to a contract, signing the player through the 2024 season, it was announced today. Crone earned a contract last season after previously spending two stints with the Pride as a National Team Replacement Player.
“Mac returned this season at the top of her game, with a new level of competitiveness, and made it an easy decision to solidify her spot within our goalkeeping corps. We are happy to reward her hard work with a contract and to see where this season takes her,” VP of Soccer Operations and General Manager Haley Carter said. “She has shown tremendous improvement since joining us last season and her commitment to the Club and her teammates is unmatched. We look forward to playing a role in her continued development and growth, on and off the field.”
“Growing up in Orlando, I looked up to the players here. To now be able to wear the Pride crest is truly an honor and I am so grateful I have been given the chance to represent this amazing city I love to call home,” Crone said. “I’m so excited to continue my professional journey here in purple (and orange) and can’t wait to continue to work hard and help grow this Club and the beautiful game. Roll Pride!”
A native of Maitland, Fla., Crone has spent the entire 2023 season training with the Pride before signing a contract through the end of the season on Sept. 13. This preseason, she returned to the Pride as a preseason non-roster invitee and has earned a contract for the upcoming year.
The University of Alabama product holds the NCAA record in goalkeeping minutes (9519) and set the college’s single-season records in shutouts (10), single-season wins (23) and career wins (41). In her senior season, she earned SEC All-Tournament Team and United Soccer Coaches All-Region Third Team honors. Crone played the first two years of her collegiate career at the University of Oklahoma, starting in every match her freshman and sophomore year.
TRANSACTION: Orlando Pride signs goalkeeper McKinley Crone through the end of the 2024 season.
McKinley Crone (muh-KIN-lee chrone)
Position: Goalkeeper
Number: 40
Height: 5-7
Born: October 20, 1998 in Maitland, Fla.
Hometown: Maitland, Fla.
Citizenship: USA
