© Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images
Emily Sams is moving from the east coast to the west coast.
The veteran defender has been traded from the Orlando Pride to Angel City FC, and singed a three-year contract with the Los Angeles-based club. In return, Orlando received $650,000 in intraleague transfer funds.
“Angel City is a club with ambition, purpose, and a clear commitment to excellence, and that’s what drew me here,” Sams said, via a press release. “I’m excited for the opportunity to keep growing as a player in an environment that pushes standards and believes in winning, while staying deeply connected to its community. It already feels like a family, and I can’t wait to compete for championships in LA and play for the best fan base in the league at BMO Stadium.”
Sams was originally drafted by the Pride in the first round of the 2023 National Women’s Soccer League Draft, after a collegiate career at Florida State. She began her professional career in Sweden, joining Damallsvenskan in 2022.
In the NWSL, she has started 70 of her 72 regular-season appearances, scoring one goal and providing one assist in 6,345 minutes. She helped lead the Orlando Pride to a 2024 NWSL Championship victory and 2024 NWSL Shield title. That same year, she was named the NWSL’s Defender of the Year, and on the league’s Best XI.
“Emily is a world class playmaking defender who brings important experience of winning an NWSL Championship to Los Angeles,” ACFC Sporting Director Mark Parsons said. “Emily is a true professional with high standards, and she will add to our team first culture while raising the standard of those around her. We believe our technical staff will be able to push Emily to another level and I am excited to see her impact on and off the field while competing for trophies in the coming years with Angel City.”
Sams was recently called up to the U.S. women’s national team camp in January, and friendlies against Paraguay (January 24) and Chile (January 27). She has seven appearances for the senior U.S. team, and was named an alternate for the 2024 Summer Olympics.
