Yolanda Thomas knows she has to pause, but she also wants to look forward. The moment, the history, matters.
On Thursday, the Orlando Pride announced that Thomas had been hired on a multi-year contract to be the team’s new head coach. The move makes the 42-year-old Swede the first Black woman to be hired as an NWSL head coach.
“I think the time will come when I have enough time and headspace to reflect on the historical milestone,” Thomas told The Cutback. “It’s an honour to be associated with that. It deserves recognition, but also there are many who weren’t able to walk through that door, paving the way for me to then walk through it.
“We should have done this earlier, yeah. But also in the sense that let's celebrate, because I know what it means to not see anyone that looks like you, and to make you feel like you can't do it, or you don't belong.
“I also know what it means when you can look up and say ‘I belong here’, because you see people that look like you. So the power of representation is real, and it's something that I don't take lightly. And I want to make sure I represent in a way that inspires others.”
In August, Thomas became the first Black woman to coach an NWSL game when she was put in interim charge of the Pride following the sacking of Seb Hines. Thomas had been at Hines’s side as an assistant since 2023, and when the Pride topped the league table and won the NWSL Championship in 2024.
In 2026, when Thomas assumed the position of interim head coach, the Pride had lost four of their last five matches before Hines’s sacking. With Thomas at the helm, Orlando won three, drew one, and lost four of their final eight matches of the 2026 season.
It should be noted that Thomas’s lone draw was an impressive 2-2 draw away to the KC Current, who did not lose at home all season and have won all four home matches since. Orlando would go on to miss out on the playoffs but moved up one place in the table, from 12th to 11th, during those final eight games.
Pride general manager Caitlin Carducci led the hiring process, starting immediately after Hines’ dismissal. This is the first time Carducci has had to hire a head coach after joining the club in January 2026. She says the club underwent a global search before settling on Thomas as the best candidate.
“Yolanda has earned this opportunity through her expertise, tactical acumen, preparation and impact on our players and our club,” said Carducci in a statement. “She is an exceptional coach who understands the importance of culture and what people need in different moments, and she has earned the trust and respect of our players and staff through her work over the past several years.
“While her familiarity with our organisation is a strength, what stood out throughout our global search process was her vision, her depth of experience, and her ability to bring out the best in those around her.”
Thomas has been a well-respected coach in U.S. soccer circles for some time. Over the last few years, she has held esteemed workshops at the United Soccer Coaches Convention, and recently linked up with Emma Hayes as a coach for the U-23 USA team. Before that, her experience was in the U.S. college game and non-professional leagues. Thomas is also set to complete her U.S. Soccer pro licence soon.
“I intentionally sought out different types of coaching opportunities,” Thomas said. “Learning under Emma Hayes and Denise Reddy has been tremendously beneficial to my professional development. But then, in college, I was surrounded by my college coach at Oklahoma State University and his network — a lot of legends who paved the way in the game.”
Thomas is quick to shout out the influence of early coaching pioneers in the women’s game, like Lesle Gallimore, who led the University of Washington for 25 years before becoming the general manager of the Seattle Reign in 2023.
As a woman of faith, Thomas also says she has leaned on Christianity to guide her coaching. She counts her pastors as influences and mentors.
“The common theme is my willingness to learn from anyone and everyone. Sometimes the people you learn from don't necessarily have to be ahead of you. Sometimes you just learn by listening to the wisdom of people who've lived a little bit of life.”
Thomas admitted that “several” other head coaching opportunities had come up over the last 18 months, but the right timing or landing spot never quite lined up. Her graduation to become new Pride head coach comes not only because she was the team’s top candidate, but also because the role suited the path she is on.
“Sometimes you're not defined by what you say yes to, but rather what you say no to,” Thomas said. “Sometimes you have to be brave enough to say no to good opportunities because the timing isn't right. So yes, there were other opportunities both within this league and abroad. At the end of this year, Orlando didn't just choose me; I also chose Orlando.”
When it comes to trying to understand what the Pride will look like under Thomas, the head coach says that “passion and commitment” will be the key principles both in and out of possession.
“My science will be really clear. Giving guidelines where players know what's expected of them, so there's a clarity that allows for defensive structure and attacking ideas. The art of football is why we all watch it. So, giving artists the opportunity to be artists within a system is important.”
When it comes to the squad Thomas will call upon in 2027, Carducci solved one of the Pride’s biggest headaches by re-signing star striker Barbra Banda to a new lucrative contract through the end of the 2029 season.
However, the future of the legendary Marta, as well as fellow Brazilian Angelina, remains unknown. Marta and Angelina’s contracts have both expired with negotiations between the players and the Pride ongoing.
For now, a pause. Reflection on what the hiring of Thomas means to her, the NWSL and beyond. Next, the path continues and the challenge begins for one of the brightest up-and-coming coaches in the United States. Roll on 2027.
