Emily Sams Bio
Emily May Sams (née Madril; born July 1, 1999) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a defender for the Orlando Pride of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) and the United States national team. She plays primarily as a center back but has also been deployed at right back. Sams played college soccer for the Florida State Seminoles, where she won the 2021 national championship. In 2024, she helped lead the Pride to the NWSL Shield and was named NWSL Defender of the Year.
Early Life and Background
Emily May Sams was born in Boise, Idaho, in 1999. Her family moved to Navarre, Florida, in the summer of 2014. She attended Navarre High School, where she excelled in soccer, tallying 107 goals and 70 assists. Her remarkable performance earned her several individual awards, including the title of 2016 Florida Miss Soccer and twice being named Player of the Year by the Pensacola News Journal. Additionally, she played youth club soccer for the Gulf Coast Texans, which helped lay the foundation for her future career.
Path to Soccer
Sams played three seasons of college soccer for the Florida State Seminoles at Florida State University between 2017 and 2021. During her time there, she made a total of 62 appearances, starting 61, scoring six goals, and registering seven assists. Despite facing setbacks due to injuries, including an ACL tear, she returned to anchor a back line that allowed only 13 goals in her senior year. Sams announced her decision to turn professional in August 2022 after feeling disrespected by the Florida State administration during the head coach search.
Emily Sams Career
Early Career (2022)
In May 2022, Sams signed with the semi-professional USL W League affiliate of Racing Louisville FC, where she made nine appearances and scored four goals during the season, earning a spot on the Best XI second team. After her successful stint, she signed a professional contract with the NWSL on August 31, 2022, allowing her to retain her eligibility for the 2023 NWSL Draft. She was loaned to Swedish Damallsvenskan side BK Häcken for the remainder of the 2022 season, making her senior club debut on September 14, 2022.
Breakthrough (2023-2024)
Sams was selected in the first round (third overall) of the 2023 NWSL Draft by Orlando Pride. She quickly made an impact, recording her first NWSL assist in a victory over Racing Louisville and scoring her first NWSL goal against the Seattle Reign. Her performance alongside her center back partner helped Orlando set the NWSL record for consecutive games unbeaten and secure the NWSL Shield, marking the first trophy in Pride history. In recognition of her outstanding play, she was named to the NWSL Team of the Month three times and received the NWSL Defender of the Year award.
Notable Works and Milestones
Emily Sams’ signature work includes her contributions to the Orlando Pride, where she played a pivotal role in their historic achievements. Her accolades include being named NWSL Defender of the Year and contributing to the team’s first major trophy, the NWSL Shield.
Emily Sams Award Nominations
Throughout her career, Emily Sams has received several nominations, including recognition for her defensive skills and contributions to her teams.
Emily Sams Awards Won
Emily Sams has won notable awards including the NWSL Defender of the Year in 2024 and the NWSL Shield in the same year, highlighting her impact on the field.
Emily Sams Family
Emily Sams has a twin sister, Lizzy, who was a high school teammate with her at Navarre before playing college soccer at Daytona State College. She married Dakota Sams on February 19, 2024.
Personal Life
Emily Sams maintains a low profile regarding her personal life, focusing primarily on her soccer career. She is known for her dedication to the sport and her contributions to her teams.
