Orlando Pride waives 3 players ahead of offseason window

The Orlando Pride waived defenders Julie King and Morgan Reid and forward Abby Elinsky, and they have been listed on the league’s re-entry wire.

The Pride selected Elinksy in the third round of the 2018 NWSL draft, but released her during the preseason. She then earned a spot as a national team replacement player and made her professional debut in 2018.

Coach Marc Skinner signed Elinsky to a full contract for the 2019 season, and she went on to make 18 appearances. She played in all four matches of the NWSL Fall Series, assisting one goal.

Reid was initially drafted by the North Carolina Courage in 2018, but she was not featured during the team’s NWSL championship run. The defender was traded to the Pride for a fourth round draft pick.

The Pride signed King midseason in 2019, but she struggled to make it onto the pitch due to lingering injuries. King played six seasons in the NWSL for the Boston Breakers, then was selected by the Courage in the dispersal draft.

Check out our Orlando Pride fan guide to the NWSL expansion draft, which explains league rules for player selection.

Reid and King suffered injuries ahead of the NWSL Challenge Cup and were placed on the Pride’s injury reserve list. They remained on that list for the NWSL Fall Series, although King returned to Orlando to train with the Pride during the final week of the team’s brief season.

Waiving the players is the first of numerous offseason moves the Pride are expected to make ahead of the NWSL expansion draft, which will be held Nov. 12.