Caitlin Carducci

The pride have not been eliminated from playoff contention, but it is not looking good after that loss against Portland.

Do you think Caitlin Carducci will lean on Yolanda Thomas to play some of the new acquisitions slash young players more often in the final games or allow Thomas to make her own decisions throughout the final games, even if the pride get eliminated? Thanks for all you do covering the pride.

Dave, what are your thoughts?

My thoughts are this, that Yolanda has been charged with trying to get this team to the playoffs, and whatever coaching decisions she makes in that attempt are good with Kaitlyn Carducci.

I'm not saying it's the case because of the amount of money that's been spent on some players, but it almost feels a little like they're cheaping out on stuff.

Yeah.

And I honestly believe still to this point, Caitlin Carducci came in.

We didn't hear anything from her for a long time to the point where people are like, what is she even doing? and I think it was because, you know, that old adage, uh, if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all.

She's been there with the club since March.

2022 and has just really found a home after playing with the dash for a while and it's been great to see um and speaking of player who is a little bit newer to the team with youth national team experience kind of an up-and-comer in ali mimo she got her first career end up circle and her second goal for orlando across all competitions great to see her get on the score sheet i know that orlando fans Have been asking for more help to surround Barbara Banda and it seems like their plea has been mirrored by what front office staff has said because Caitlin Carducci mentioned in Barbara Banda's hip signing, I spoke about this last week on the show, that they were going to be looking for attackers and midfielders to complement Banda and her strengths and add more support.

Versatility and depth of options up front, which is important.

I spoke with this match a lot, but I'm going to say a little bit more about the VAR special with North Carolina versus Gotham.

I think this is one of the things that happened with KC that we talked about last week of Flaco predating Chris Armas, but then KC riding on with Chris Armas over Flaco and Nanovski is an interesting decision.

And then in Orlando, one of the things that was the flip is Caitlin Carducci, their new, uh, you know, head of all soccer decisions, has moved on from Seb Hines, despite Seb Hines winning that team a championship.

So I think that relationship can be really key, but I also just think there is this sense of the coach is easier to change in teams' minds, it seems like.

And I don't know if that's accurate or not.

...

I spoke with GM Caitlin Carducci.

She said, "Worth every penny." She referenced that game that we just watched and the goals that Banda scored against Kansas City.

I mean, a player, she's only three off the Golden Boot race we were just talking about in, in fewer games played.

The NWSL's Orlando Pride announced on Monday they've signed the star forward to a new contract through the 2029 season.

Friend of the show, ESPN's Jeff Kassouf, reports that Caitlin Carducci, the Orlando Pride's VP of soccer operations and general manager, declined to disclose Banda's exact salary, but confirmed it is the first deal in team history that averages, quote, unquote, "well over seven figures per year." Multiple sources also told Kassouf that the Pride used the NWSL's new high-impact player mechanism to re-sign Banda, making the Zambian forward among only a handful of players in the league designated with HIP status.

Banda joined the Pride in 2024, leading the team to the NWSL Shield and NWSL Championship in her debut season with the club.

She's had another record-setting campaign this season, scoring a single-season club record 16 goals, good enough for second in the ongoing Golden Boot race.