UW and Tri-Cities soccer standout hitting her stride as a pro with Orlando Pride

There was a time last season that Summer Yates’ future in professional soccer was at a crossroads.

“My coaches were basically up front with me, telling me (in 2023) I wasn’t ready to play,” Yates said in an interview with the Herald.

The Chiawana High School graduate had five outstanding seasons with the University of Washington women’s soccer team, finished her last collegiate season in the fall of 2022, and was awaiting her possible selection in the National Women’s Soccer League 2023 Draft in the early part of the year.

The midfielder was pegged as a possible late first round to second round selection by a number of soccer experts.

What happened, though, she wasn’t picked until the fourth round, 39th overall, to the Orlando Pride.

She made the team — fulfilling a lifetime goal of becoming a professional — and appeared in 10 games for the Pride, all coming off the bench with no goals.

“There was an adjustment,” said Yates. “When I started out last year, the pro game was so much faster than college. And so much more competitive.”

Stepping up her game

So Yates took her coaches’ advice to heart on what she needed to do.

“I think I worked really hard in the offseason because I wanted to get to this point,” she said in a post-game interview with the media earlier this season. “I wanted to be able to start games and play significant minutes for this team. It’s been great. (I’m) trying to be more consistent and just learn from the other veterans every single day.”

In the season opener against Racing Louisville, Yates came off the bench and scored the game-tying goal in a 2-2 draw.

“It was a big weight off of my mind when that happened,” said Yates. “We started the season and I had a couple coming off of the bench.”

She could score against the best. She could play with anyone.

Yates earned her first start on April 12 in a 1-0 win over the Utah Royals.

A week later, she scored the only goal of a 1-0 win over San Diego Wave FC, then buried a game-winning penalty against the Washington Spirit on April 26.

She’s been an integral part of the team’s lineup since — starting in 16 of the team’s 23 matches, but playing in all 23 of those matches and only missing one.

In those 23 matches, Yates has 5 goals and 1 assist.

Those 5 goals ranked her tied for third on the Pride, only behind Zambian star Barbara Banda (13 goals) and the legendary Brazilian star Marta (with 8).

To top it off, team management rewarded her with a new contract, announcing on July 11 that it had signed the 24-year-old to an extension through the 2025 season, with an option for the 2026 season.

“It was awesome. The goal this year was to get a new contract,” said Yates.

And just last week, the Pride and Yates reached an agreement for her to play through the 2026 season.

Earning her way in NWSL

Haley Carter, the vice president of soccer operations and general manager for the Pride, said Yates earned the new contract.

“Summer’s growth over the last season has been evident, and her contributions on the field this year are a clear result of the work and dedication she has put into both herself and the team,” said Carter in a statement.

“She is incredibly deserving of this new contract, and we are thrilled to reward her with it. We’re excited to see what Summer will achieve over her career here in Orlando, and thankful to have her as part of our Club for the foreseeable future.”

The new deal motivated Yates even more to excel.

“This is my job now,” she said. “Everything I do for it is a job. We play all year round. And it’s definitely mentally and physically tougher than the college game.”

“But 100 percent I love it. I still love the game so much. I’ll keep playing until I can’t. We could be working office jobs. We’re so lucky and this is pretty awesome,” she said.

What makes this season even more enjoyable is that the Pride is the best team in the National Women’s Soccer League.

On Oct. 6, Yates and her Pride teammates beat the Washington Spirit 2-0 to clinch the NWSL Shield, given to the team with the best record in the league.

On Oct. 11, Orlando lost at Portland 2-0, giving the Pride its first loss of the season, and snapping Orlando’s 24-match unbeaten streak.

Through 25 games, Orlando has 17 wins, 6 draws and 2 losses.

“And I think we’re just getting started,” said Yates. “And I’m just getting started myself.”

A tactical game

Part of that reason for success has been the work the players put in.

“We do a lot of film work,” Yates said. “We spend a lot of time in the morning and every afternoon doing that. The game is so tactical.”

And the hot, steamy summers in central Florida maybe have made the Pride even tougher.

“The humidity in Orlando is so hot,” said Yates. “During the hottest weeks, the heat just suffocates you. But you just take it day by day. Everyone down here has to go through it.

“The heat just drains us. A lot of us take two-hour naps after practice each day.”

And playing with Marta?

That’s still unreal for Yates. She was awestruck when she first met the world star during her rookie season. Now, things have settled down.

“It’s been great playing with Marta,” said Yates. “She’s been awesome. It’s pretty cool having No. 10 on the team. We’re friends now. We hang out, and she’s definitely having an older sister role with me. She’s a great role model.”

Besides winning the NWSL championship, Yates has one more goal she wants to achieve: playing for the national team.

“Playing for the USA has always been my big goal,” said Yates. “I’m still here, and I have a lot to learn the next four years. But it’s still on my radar.

“I’ll just take it step by step.”

Jeff Morrow is former sports editor for the Tri-City Herald.