Copper Queens midfielder Grace Chanda is almost ready to make her National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) debut with the Orlando Pride.
Chanda is one of the Pride players on the preseason roster. The list was made public on Monday.
Last year, just as she was about to make her NWSL debut, the 27-year-old was placed on the season-ending injury list due to a ruptured quadriceps tendon in her right leg while representing Zambia at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Chanda played only 34 minutes in Zambia’s opening match against the United States, which ended in a 3-0 defeat. After returning to her club, the former Madrid CFF midfielder began working with the Orlando Pride medical team and partners at Orlando Health to regain her fitness.
She has had limited playing time since 2023, making only four appearances for Madrid CFF after almost a year of not playing due to an illness before joining Orlando Pride in May on a free transfer.
The Orlando Pride will kick off their 2025 season on Friday, March 7, when they host the Washington Spirit in the Challenge Cup Final at Inter&Co Stadium. The Pride enter the new season as the reigning NWSL Shield and NWSL Champions, having completed the double in 2024.
Despite being on the roster for the club’s preseason, Chanda is still listed as having a season-ending injury.
However, BolaNews understands that the club hopes she will be ready to play before the Challenge Cup.
Orlando Pride Preseason Roster (as of Jan. 20, 2025):
GOALKEEPERS (4): Kat Asman, McKinley Crone, Anna Moorhouse, DeAira Jackson (NRI)
DEFENDERS (8): Kerry Abello, Zara Chavoshi, Cori Dyke, Brianna Martinez, Carson Pickett, Rafaelle (SEI), Emily Sams, Kylie Strom
MIDFIELDERS (9): Angelina, Grace Chanda (INTL – ZAM, SEI). Morgan Gautrat, Ally Lemos, Luana (SEI), Aryssa Mahrt (NRI), Marta. Haley McCutcheon, Viviana Villacorta
FORWARDS (9): Adriana, Amanda Allen (SEI), Barbra Banda (INTL – ZAM). Simone Charley (SEI), Julie Doyle, Simone Jackson (NRI). Mariana Larroquette (LOAN), Ally Watt, Summer Yates
