On Sunday night, the Orlando Pride traveled to Portland for their inaugural game against the Portland Thorns. Although the Pride were defeated with a final score of 2-1, defender Steph Catley found the back of the net on a free kick, scoring the first goal in team history.
“It’s pretty cool when you put it like that,” Catley said, laughing. “I suppose to have the first goal in the club’s history is something I can always hold with me.”
Catley scored a goal off a free kick just outside of Portland’s box. Although Catley admits that she and midfielder Lianne Sanderson had discussed just setting up the ball for the players in the box, Catley decided to aim for the goal herself. “I’m like ‘I’m gonna shoot,’” Catley said. “In my head I just thought… it was a good angle for a left footer, so I just thought I’d have a go and it worked out.”
“She didn’t score any goals like that when I was a coach in Australia,” Head Coach Tom Sermanni said with a laugh after the game. “It was great that we scored that first goal, it was great to get in the lead, and it’s safe to say, on another day with that performance, I think we would’ve gotten a better result.”
Catley and her teammates are now getting ready to play their first game at the Citrus Bowl. This Saturday night at 7:30 the Orlando Pride will take on the Houston Dash in their inaugural home match. “We can’t wait to play in front of our fans,” Catley said with a smile.
