5 Things You Need to Know About Haley Carter, Orlando Pride’s New GM

The Orlando Pride just added another superstar to their team! A Texas native, Haley Carter has an extensive background in soccer and leadership. From her history with playing and coaching soccer to inspirational work in the Marine Corps and the city of Houston, here are five things you need to know about the new NWSL General Manager.

1. Orlando Pride’s New GM and VP of Soccer Operations

Haley Carter was named Orlando Pride’s Vice President of Soccer Operations and General Manager on January 30, 2023. In a nutshell, this means she’ll oversee all the coaching, scouting, analytics, sports performance, and player care for the club. 

Welcome Haley 🫡

Haley Carter has been named Vice President of Soccer Operations and General Manager.

— Orlando Pride (@ORLPride) January 30, 2023

2. She was a U.S. Marine Corps officer 

Carter graduated from the US Naval Academy and, afterward, served for almost eight years in the Marine Corps. 

While in the Marine Corps, Carter played soccer for the United States in the International Military Sports Council Women’s Military World Soccer Championships. 

3. She has played, coached, and scouted soccer

Carter started playing soccer at a young age and was a goalkeeper for the US Naval Academy’s D1 soccer team from 2002 to 2005, where she made 27 appearances. She played for the semi-pro Honolulu Bulls team when she was stationed in Hawaii from 2010 to 2013. Then, in 2013, she moved back to Texas, where she played as a reserve goalkeeper with the Houston Dash for three years.

While she was still on the Houston Dash, she volunteered as an assistant coach for two nearby universities’ women’s soccer programs. Additionally, she coached at the elite youth levels in Texas, like the Olympic Development Program.

After retiring from professional soccer, Carter transitioned to coaching abroad. She was an Assistant Coach for the Afghanistan Women’s National Team and a goalkeeper coach for Antigua and Barbuda Women’s National Team.

In addition to playing and coaching, Carter holds Level I and II Talent Identification certifications. She even went back to the Houston Dash and worked with them in scouting. 

4. She is a licensed attorney 

Who says soccer players can’t do both? In addition to her degree from the US Naval Academy, Carter got her J.D. from the University of Houston Law Center. “All I know is whatever I do, I’m going to use my law degree to benefit the community,” Carter said in an interview with the University of Houston Law Center.

5. She’s big into activism 

As a veteran, she’s shown support for the #VetsForGunReform campaign. Additionally, she served on a committee appointed by the governor of Houston to develop recommendations to improve gun safety and cultivate safe communities and neighborhoods. 

Aside from that, Carter was also named on the City of Houston’s Women’s Commission, which works towards equity and equality for women in various public and private sectors, such as healthcare and employment. Similarly, she advocates for equal pay in the sports world and with the committees she’s on in Houston. 

After coaching in Afghanistan, in 2021, she was crucial in evacuating over 100 people–some of which were families and relatives of her former players–from Kabul, Afghanistan who were in danger when the Taliban took over.

Overall, Haley Carter is an amazing addition to Orlando Pride. Her awards and accolades are extensive, but more than that, she’s a born leader and shows up huge wherever she works. She’s deeply involved in not just the game of soccer but the advancement of women in the world. We’re stoked to see what she’ll do at the Pride!

Featured image via @orlpride on Twitter

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