Orlando Pride has named former MLS Cup Champion and Orlando City player Erik Ustruck as its newest general manager.
Ustruck will report directly to Executive Vice President of Soccer Operations Luiz Muzzi to manage all aspects of the Pride’s technical operations.
“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.”
Ustruck, 34, joined the Orlando City SC front office in 2014 after playing for the Club from 2011-13 and quickly climbed through the ranks of the soccer operations department. 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.
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.
“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 has also been assisting with the Club’s search for its newest head coach, who will be announced in the near future, and will represent the Pride at the 2019 NWSL College Draft, which will take place on Thursday, January 10, at 12 p.m. ET at McCormick Place in Chicago.