Orlando City SC is in the final stages of naming a new Orlando Pride head coach, league sources told Pro Soccer USA on Thursday. An official announcement is expected next week.
The National Women’s Soccer League draft is Jan. 10.
The Pride have been without a coach since Tom Sermanni and the club parted ways at the end of a disappointing 2018 campaign. The Pride’s roster was full of talent, but the team missed the playoffs after going winless its last six matches and losing the final four games.
The Pride finished last season 8-10-6 (30 points) and lost 1-0 in their season finale to previously winless Sky Blue FC.
Former Pride assistant coach Khano Smith recently joined United Soccer League Championship side Birmingham Legion FC as the team’s new assistant coach.
The Pride are the only team in the NWSL without a head coach after the Washington Post reported the Washington Spirit will hire Richie Burke as their new head coach.
The new coach will be the second in the Pride’s history.