ORLANDO, Fla. (Sept. 1, 2025) — The Orlando Pride (8-6-4, 28 points) have agreed to a short-term contract with forward Elyse Bennett, the club announced Wednesday. Bennett, who is a free agent with years of experience in multiple NWSL clubs, has agreed to terms with the Pride through the end of this season.
“We’re excited to bring Elyse Bennett into our environment,” Sporting Director and Vice President of Soccer Operations Haley Carter noted. “It’s a player with enormous potential, and her exposure to many systems and clubs brings that level of knowledge that we’re very interested in. Elyse’s energy, professionalism and finishing skill will mesh perfectly in ourlocker room and in the style that we want to play.”
Bennett, 25, arrives in Orlando after playing for Kansas City Current, OL Reign and San Diego Wave FC. Throughout her three-year pro career, Bennett has competed in 56 league matches, finding the back of the net five times in addition to tallying numerous assists, including in that memorable game in the 2022 NWSL Challenge Cup in which she tallied four assists in her first six contests, earning the NWSL Player of the Week honor while representing the Current.
Elyse Bennett was first selected 7th overall in the 2022 NWSL Draft by the Kansas City Current. She was later traded to OL Reign in early 2023 and to Utah Royals FC in the 2024 NWSL Expansion Draft before being traded to the San Diego Wave.
Before turning pro, Bennett’s college career was impressive when she played for Washington State University from 2017 to 2021. She played in 93 games with 26 goals to her credit. She won All-Pac-12 First Team as well as United Soccer Coaches All-American Second Team as a senior. She also achieved her career-highs in goals (10), shots (93) as well as minutes played (1,557) in her fifth season.
TRANSACTION: Orlando Pride signs forward Elyse Bennett to a short-term contract through the 2025 season.
Elyse Bennett
Position: Forward
Number: 27
Height: 5-10
Born: December 27, 1999
Hometown: Lake Forest, Ill.
Citizenship: USA
