Orlando Pride announced the dismissal of head coach Seb Hines just weeks after he guided the club to its maiden National Women’s Soccer League championship in 2024, appointing assistant coach Yolanda Thomas to serve as interim manager.
A milestone overshadowed by turmoil
Hines made history as the first Black head coach in NWSL history to win a trophy, doing so with a coaching staff that included Giles Barnes and Thomas. Their success followed the firing of Amanda Cromwell, who was removed amid misconduct allegations, and the departure of assistant Sam Greene.
Despite the championship, the Pride struggled in the following season, finishing 12th out of 16 teams with a record of 8‑12‑2 and falling five points short of the playoff cutoff.
The club also confirmed the departure of goalkeeper coach Paul Crichton, while Barnes accepted a head‑coaching position at Al Qadsiah FC in the Saudi Women’s Premier League, further reshaping the technical staff.
Looking ahead to the Houston Dash
Thomas will lead the side for the upcoming match against the Houston Dash, a game that will test her ability to stabilize a squad that has seen both on‑field and off‑field upheaval. The interim role offers her a chance to imprint her philosophy while the organization evaluates longer‑term leadership options.
The Pride’s front office emphasized that the changes are part of a broader effort to align the team’s direction with its ambitions, hoping to translate past success into sustained competitiveness in the league.