Joy and consternation as Pride defender Emily Sams gets national call-up | OneFootball

The U.S. Women’s National Team announced their January roster, including Orlando Pride defender Emily Sams. There’s an equal amount of joy and exasperation.

The joy of supporters is obvious. Award-winning Orlando Pride defender Emily Sams is back on the U.S. Women’s National Team roster. The exasperation is because U.S. Soccer has failed to call up at least one other of Sams’ teammates.

After all, the Orlando Pride won the NWSL Championship while setting league records. These records include the most wins in a single season with 18 and the most consecutive wins in a season with eight.

In spite of the disappointment so many accomplished Pride players got passed up for the national team call-up, all recognize no one ever earned a spot on the roster more than Emily Sams.

For her contribution to the NWSL Shield and Championship won by the Orlando Pride, she was named NWSL Defender of the Year. During this season, she joined the Olympic team and with her teammates won Gold. She also achieved recognition as the first national team player in over two years to start in her debut.

She played the most minutes of all rookies, 1,977, with the national team. She led them with 18 blocks and 73 total clearances.

Finally, Sams was named to the league’s Best XI for 2024. She was honored with four teammates, including Marta and Barbra Banda on the first team, and Anna Moorhouse with Kerry Abello on the second team.

She played in all but one of the Pride’s matches, starting in 24 games, including 13 shutouts. This season the team led the league by playing 554 consecutive minutes without conceding a goal.

Still, supporters were miffed that more of Emily Sams’ teammates didn’t get the callup to their national team. They needn’t be.

While Sams will continue to excel during her U.S. Women’s National Team call-up, rest assured she’s reminding coaches, trainers, and scouts about the talent on the Orlando Pride waiting for their chances.