Orlando Pride’s New General Manager is Erik Ustruck
Ustruck oversees soccer operations and 2019 NWSL College Draft
Soccer News: Just last week, Orlando Pride welcome Erik Ustruck as the new General Manager, coming on board at perhaps one of the busiest times of the cycle, right before the draft at the United Soccer Coaches’ 2019 Convention in Chicago.
The former MLS Cup Champion and Orlando City player Ustruck who was announced on January 7th will oversee all soccer operations.
Reporting directly to the Executive Vice President of Soccer Operations Luiz Muzzi, Ustruck, who is 34 years old, joined the Orlando City SC front office in 2014 after playing for the Club from 2011-13. He quickly climbed through the ranks of the soccer operations department and the Santa Clara University graduate most recently served as the manager of soccer operations for both the Pride and Orlando City of Major League Soccer and was City’s team administration manager from 2015-17.
“We are very happy to promote Erik to this newly established position, which will allow us to continue increasing our resources and focus on building the Pride,” said Muzzi. “Erik has been dedicated to the success of this Club from his time as a player through his positions in the front office, and we believe he will be a great asset in strengthening and supporting our NWSL operations.”
“I am honored and excited to begin this new position with the Pride and want to thank Luiz and the rest of the executive leadership for entrusting me with this opportunity,” Ustruck said. “We have already hit the ground running, not only to put together a strong, competitive roster but also to build a team culture here in Orlando that every player will want to be a part of.”
Ustruck began his playing career with Orlando City during the 2011 USL season and went on to win the USL Cup in 2011 and 2013, as well as regular season championships in 2011 and 2012.
Before coming to Orlando, Ustruck played three seasons with the Houston Dynamo where he won the 2007 MLS Cup, was a Western Conference Champion in 2008 and reached the US Open Cup Semifinal in 2009.
On the international stage, Ustruck recorded multiple caps with the U.S. U-20 Men’s National Team and was later selected to the Guam senior national team in 2013 for the AFC Challenge Cup, making his international debut in November 2013 in a friendly against Laos.
Source: Press Release
