Haley Carter, Orlando Pride’s VP of Soccer Operations and Sporting Director, is stepping down after three seasons overseeing the club’s sporting department.

Carter, who reshaped the Pride’s roster strategy and helped the team through its recent competitive resurgences, is leaving to pursue new career opportunities, the team said on Tuesday.

“Haley played a key leadership role with our club, positioning the Pride among the NWSL’s and world’s elite clubs,” said Mark Wilf, Orlando Pride Owner & Chairman, in a statement. “Our family is incredibly excited about the future of the Pride and we look forward to continuing our commitment to invest in world-class players and building teams that continually compete for championships and positively represent Orlando and our supporters.”

Carter’s departure marks the first major front-office change since the Pride’s back-to-back postseason runs and comes at a pivotal moment as the club evaluates its long-term sporting structure.

Carter joined the Pride ahead of the 2023 season. Under her tenure, the club won both the NWSL Shield and the NWSL Championship during a historic 2024 season. This season, the Pride reached the semifinals of the 2025 NWSL Playoffs but fell short to Gotham FC at last week’s semifinal at home.

“I’m beyond thankful to Mark Wilf and the entire ownership group for giving me the opportunity to be part of this club and for their unwavering support throughout my time here,” Carter said. “The Wilf Family’s continued investment in this team, both on and off the field, is a reflection of their genuine belief in the Pride’s potential and in the future of women’s soccer. Their commitment to leading a world-class club is the foundation for continued success.”

Wilf said the club has already begun a search to fill Carter’s role.

Carter will be difficult to replace — but the high bar she set is a good thing

In just three seasons, Carter made seismic contributions to the Pride that help explain their recent success as a club and raised the bar for the rest of the league. In her first season as VP, the Pride narrowly missed a chance at the playoffs on goal differential. The following year, she signed Zambian striker Barbra Banda, and the Pride claimed the NWSL Shield and the championship.

Carter also played a key role in signing Mexican international Jacqueline Ovalle for a league record transfer fee worth $1.5 million. Even with the blow of Banda’s injury this season, the Pride still reached the semifinals.

Carter’s background as a former professional player has informed the empathy and passion with which she leads. She’s not afraid to stand on business, as she did when Banda faced abuse during a league match, and more recently when she and former Pride player Prisca Chilufya were the targets of a hateful op-ed. Individual club administrators rarely make statements like that, and Carter’s filled the void at a time when the league and other operators were hesitant to toe a line.

I expect there to be more movement at the Pride; the only way to grow from that superlative 2024 season is to evolve, after all. Carter will be difficult to replace, but hopefully her influence on the club in her short tenure will ensure they will not backtrack on the quality she brought. — Tamerra Griffin, women’s soccer writer