ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Yolanda Thomas was promoted to head coach of the Orlando Pride on Thursday, making her the first Black woman to be appointed to such a role in the history of the National Women’s Soccer League.
Thomas, who has been with the club since 2023, served as interim coach of the Pride this season after the departure of Seb Hines in August. Thomas was an assistant on Hines' staff that led the Pride to the 2024 NWSL championship.
“Throughout this process, it was clear that Yolanda’s leadership, experience and character made her the strongest individual to lead our club moving forward," Pride owner Mark Wilf said in a statement. “She has already played an important role in the success this organization has achieved, and we are excited to see her lead the next chapter of the Pride.”
Orlando finished outside of the playoffs with an 11-16-3 record this season.
Thomas, who played at Oklahoma State and professionally in her native Sweden, has also served as a coach of the under-23 U.S. women's team.
She had previous head coaching stints with Rogers State in Oklahoma and with a Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL) team in Tulsa. She became an assistant on Hines' staff in 2023.
Hines became the first Black head coach in the NWSL when he was promoted from an interim role by the Pride following the 2022 season.
“I am honored to lead a club that I care so deeply about and a group of players I believe in wholeheartedly,” Thomas said in a statement. “What we’ve built together over the last several seasons is just the beginning of something special. We have established a strong foundation and a championship standard, and I believe the potential of this club goes far beyond what we’ve already achieved.”
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