Over the past two seasons, the Orlando Pride have become trendsetters.
First, it was signing star forward Barbra banda in 2024, which was one of the largest all-in investments on a player in National Women’s Soccer League history.
Today, the Club decided to top that marker, breaking not only the NWSL record, but also the world record for an incoming transfer.
Lizbeth Jacqueline Ovalle, known affectionately as “La Maga” (The Magician) will join the Pride from Tigres UANL Femenil, for a record-breaking fee, officially setting a new world record for women’s soccer.
This groundbreaking signing is a move that Pride VP of Soccer Operations adn Sporting Director Haley Carter has been working on for quite some time, knowing that the team couldn’t just sit on their laurels after winning both the NWSL Shield and Championship last season. They needed a splash.
“The process with Jacquie actually began several months ago,when our scouting network identified her as one of the most dynamic players in Liga MX Femenil,” Carter told orlando-Pride.com. “What drew us to her initially was her creativity and technical ability. She’s earned the nickname ‘La Maga’ (The Magician) for good reason. From our perspective, building on the foundation we established with Barbra’s signing was crucial. When you bring in a player of Barbra’s caliber and see the immediate impact both on and off the field, it validates your approach and gives you confidence to continue investing at that level. With Jackie, we’re not just setting a transfer record – we’re demonstrating our commitment to assembling a roster that can compete for championships while also elevating the profile of women’s soccer globally.”
Ovalle has long been one of Mexico’s brightest stars,both for Club and country. For tigres, she has almost 300 games played, 136 goals scored, nine trophies won and a scorpion-kick goal that went viral back in March.
For Mexico, she has 81 appearances, 20 goals, a 2024 CONCACAF W Gold Cup Best XI and a Pan American Games 2023 gold medal.
Ovalle’s arrival now provides Orlando with a dynamic wide attacker, who can help provide another threat offensively to unlock defenses with both her passing and scoring.
“On the field, Jackie brings a unique skill set that complements our existing attacking structure perfectly,” Carter said. “Her ability to create from wide positions, her pace and her tec
Orlando Pride Sign Chilean Star Jackie Ovalle, Signaling Championship Ambitions
The Orlando Pride have announced the signing of Chilean international Jackie Ovalle, a highly-regarded attacking player poised to elevate the team’s profile and competitiveness. The acquisition underscores the club’s commitment to building a championship-caliber roster, backed by the critically important investment and strategic vision of the Wilf family, owners as 2022.
Head Coach Erin Carter emphasized Ovalle’s unique skillset, stating, “She’s a different type of goal-threat. She’s very skillful in one-v-one situations,composed under pressure when it comes to finishing. We don’t like to have too manny players who are very similar. We like to have versatile players with different qualities. How she fits in with the rest of the squad will be seamless because she’s just that good. She’s an exciting player who gets fans off their seats, and we’re just so happy to have her be part of the team.”
Beyond her on-field talent, Carter highlighted the importance of Ovalle’s character and professionalism. “Off the field, what impressed us most during our conversations was her professionalism and her genuine excitement about the chance to compete in the NWSL,” Carter said. “She’s someone who understands the duty that comes with being a high-profile signing, and she’s committed to being a positive ambassador for the club and the league. The fact that she’ll be playing alongside world-class players like Marta and Barbra was certainly appealing to her as well.”
The signing of Ovalle follows a recent trend of the Pride actively pursuing high-profile players, including Barbra Banda. This strategy is directly supported by the Wilf family, who view investment in top talent as crucial to the club’s success.
“The Wilf family’s support has been transformative for this organization,” Carter explained. “From day one, they’ve made it clear that their goal is to build a championship-caliber organization, and they understand that requires investment in top-tier talent. What’s particularly meaningful is that this isn’t just about writing checks – they’re actively involved in our strategic planning, and they ask the right questions about how each signing fits into our broader vision.With both Barbra and now Jackie, they’ve trusted our evaluation process and backed our recommendations. That level of support allows us to compete for the very best players in the world, which ultimately benefits not just Orlando Pride, but the entire NWSL as we continue to attract elite international talent to the league.”
Ovalle, known for her skillful play and ability to create magic on the pitch, now has a prominent stage to showcase her talents in the NWSL. The Pride’s acquisition signals a clear intent to contend for championships and further elevate the league’s profile.
date:2024-02-29 17:59:00 (Updated to reflect current date)