Pride look for boost from Ovalle

Signing a player for a record fee reported to be $1.5 million brings with it great expectations, and Jacqueline Ovalle is expected to do great things for the Orlando Pride. The Mexican international was officially introduced to the media on Wednesday night, where she spoke about her excitement to join the club and help it achieve its goals of winning another championship.

“At the end of the day, to be here, and to make this move to this club, this move is very personal,” Ovalle said at her introductory press conference. “To be able to come to one of the top teams in this league is a great step for me.”

Ovalle played for Mexican side Tigres UANL Femenil since 2019, scoring 136 goals and adding 103 assists in 294 appearances in all competitions. Her first appearance for the Pride came in the second half of Sunday’s 5-2 NWSL loss at the Chicago Stars, and it was immediately evident that she brings a new dynamic to a team desperate for more goals.

Orlando Pride player Jacqueline Ovalle, left, prepares for a press conference beside VP of Soccer Haley Carter during a press conference at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Wednesday, September 10, 2025. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)

Orlando Pride VP of Soccer Haley Carter speaks beside the Championship Trophy, The Shield, and a Championship Ring during a press conference at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Wednesday, September 10, 2025. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)

Orlando Pride VP of Soccer Haley Carter shows off her Championship Ring during a press conference at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Wednesday, September 10, 2025. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)

Orlando Pride player Jacqueline Ovalle, middle, is introduced by head coach Seb Hines, left, and VP of Soccer Haley Carter, right, during a press conference at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Wednesday, September 10, 2025. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)

Orlando Pride coach Seb Hines smiles during a press conference at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Wednesday, September 10, 2025. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)

The Orlando Pride Championship Trophy, The Shield, and a Championship Ring are pictured during a press conference at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Wednesday, September 10, 2025. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)

Orlando Pride player Kylie Nadaner shows off her Championship Ring during a press conference at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Wednesday, September 10, 2025. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)

An Orlando Pride Championship Ring is pictured during a press conference at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Wednesday, September 10, 2025. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)

Orlando Pride player Jacqueline Ovalle, right, speaks beside head coach Seb Hines during a press conference at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Wednesday, September 10, 2025. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)

Orlando Pride VP of Soccer Haley Carter wears a Championship Ring during a press conference at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Wednesday, September 10, 2025. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)

Orlando Pride player Jacqueline Ovalle takes a seat beside head coach Seb Hines during a press conference at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Wednesday, September 10, 2025. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)

Orlando Pride owner Mark Wilf speaks during a press conference at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Wednesday, September 10, 2025. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)

Orlando Pride owner Mark Wilf speaks beside the Championship Trophy, The Shield, and a Championship Ring during a press conference at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Wednesday, September 10, 2025. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)

Orlando Pride player Kylie Nadaner speaks beside the Championship Trophy, The Shield, and a Championship Ring during a press conference at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Wednesday, September 10, 2025. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)

Orlando Pride player Jacqueline Ovalle walks away following her introducdtion during a press conference at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Wednesday, September 10, 2025. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)

Orlando Pride player Jacqueline Ovalle, right, is introduced by head coach Seb Hines during a press conference at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Wednesday, September 10, 2025. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)

Orlando Pride player Jacqueline Ovalle, middle is introduced by head coach Seb Hines, left, and VP of Soccer Haley Carter, right, during a press conference at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Wednesday, September 10, 2025. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)

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“Bringing Jacquie here was a part of our plans for much longer than whatever the seven-game winless period is,” added Pride VP of soccer operations and sporting director Haley Carter. “And I think what Jacquie brings is obvious, and it’s clear to anybody who watches the women’s game, she’s a goal scorer, she’s a finisher.”

While the signing was not specifically about the seven-game winless streak the Pride find themselves in, bringing in a player of Ovalle’s quality and versatility will surely help in the short term. At 25, she is going to be a key player for the future, but the Pride will need her to contribute quickly after the loss of Barbra Banda to a season-ending injury, and she is prepared to adapt quickly.

“The level is higher, the level is faster, and you can see every day that there’s more to think about,” Ovalle added. “Every day I’m going to try and adapt as quickly as possible, train as hard as I can, to be able to adapt to this team, to fit into this team, and to help this team as much as I can and as quickly as possible.”

Pride fans will get a chance to see her live on Saturday when the Pride welcome Bay FC to Inter&Co Stadium.

Up next

Pride vs. Bay FC
WHEN: Saturday, 5 p.m., Inter&Co Stadium
TV: WOPX-56

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/09/10/pride-look-for-boost-from-ovalle/