From Florida to the International Stage, Emily Sams is on the Rise

December 3, 2024
By Carina Chin

Orlando Pride defender Emily Sams recently recorded her first appearance for the USWNT. Sams’ successes before making the call-up to the national squad are well worth considering, including recently becoming an NWSL Champion and NWSL Defender of the Year. Let’s look at the accomplishments Sams has achieved so far in her burgeoning career.

Early & Collegiate Career

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Although born and raised in Boise, Idaho, Sams attended Navarre High School in Florida. While playing high school soccer, she secured numerous individual awards. After displaying a stellar high school career, Sams joined the Florida State Seminoles.

Her three seasons playing for the Seminoles came with many highs. Competing in 62 matches, Sams helped the Seminoles lift the national title in 2018 and 2021. During the 2021 season, Sams held down a backline that only allowed 13 goals in 25 games and helped the Seminoles defense secure 14 clean sheets. She was named the ACC Defensive Player of the Year for the 2021 season.

Yet, with the highs come the lows. Sams endured two ACL injuries within the 2018-2019 seasons. She was not able to play for the Seminoles for two years. A severe injury as Sams suffered can derail any athlete in any sport. However, her determination and commitment to the game propelled Sams to go beyond her injury and help FSU win the title a couple of years later in her collegiate career. The role Sams played in shaping the FSU

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NWSL – Orlando Pride

As the No. 3 overall pick in the 2023 NWSL Draft, Sams was selected by the Orlando Pride. Coming into the draft after being the focal point of the FSU defensive line elevates expectations. There is an excellent level of skill made evident from Sams, especially since she was chosen to forgo her final year at FSU so that she could sign a contract with the NWSL.

Although she did not have quite the remarkable rookie season she had hoped for, Sams and the entire Orlando Pride team put negative habits from their 2023 season to rest. The rising shift Orlando Pride took from Sams’ rookie year to her sophomore year reflects Sams’ growth as a player. Her ability to win tackles and keep the defensive line in order allowed Pride to only concede 20 goals all regular season in 2024.

Surpassing the Chicago Red Stars in the 2024 Quarterfinals set them up to face the Kansas City Current. Sams put out a great showcase of her offensive and defensive skill, squaring up against the red-hot Temwa Chawinga. She helped the Orlando Pride emerge victorious, sending the team to the Championship match.

Against the Spirit, the defender helped the Pride shut out their opponent, taking home the NWSL title and Defender of the Year honors.

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USWNT

During the 2024 Olympics, Sams received her first call-up to the senior national team. Although she did not play in a match during the Olympics, she still qualified for a gold medal. Now, it seems she’s beginning to cement her position on the USWNT, being called up for the November and December friendlies.

She’s a young player with a long career ahead of her, and it seems her USWNT tenure is just getting started.

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