ORLANDO, Fla. (October 27, 2016) - After a breakout season with Orlando Pride, Kristen Edmonds has been named to the U.S. Women’s National Team’s 24-player training camp roster ahead of two matches against Romania. Edmonds joins Pride teammates Ashlyn Harris and Alex Morgan on the November roster, which will face Romania on Nov. 10 at Avaya Stadium in San Jose, Calif. (10 p.m. ET on ESPN2) and Nov. 13 at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif. (9:30 p.m. ET on FS1).
Edmonds, 29, led the Pride’s offense with six goals during the Club’s inaugural campaign, earning the team’s Golden Boot award. A graduate of Rutgers University, the versatile playmaker primarily played in the midfield for the Pride, but can be used on the defensive line or as a forward.
After being acquired by Orlando via trade, each of Edmonds’ 2016 goals were highlight reel worthy, winning Goal of the Week honors in Week 12 after scoring two goals in the final three minutes of the match to steal three points from Boston. Those efforts led to her first NWSL Player of the Week award. Edmonds also totaled two assists, both leading to Morgan goals including a stunning game-winner on May 14 against league Champion Western New York.
“This is a well-deserved reward for the outstanding season that Kristen had with our club. Her story is a great story for players in this league, showing the significance and importance of play in the NWSL,” Pride Head Coach Tom Sermanni said. “This will not only be a great opportunity for Kristen, but also another chance for Alex and Ashlyn to see some competition during the long offseason.”
Harris returns to the U.S. WNT after featuring in the team’s 5-1 win over Switzerland on Oct. 23. The match marked Harris’ 10th international cap. On the club level, Harris posted one of her best seasons en route to being named the 2016 NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year. In 15 matches, the former North Carolina Tarheel finished the season with 62 saves, a 1.33 goals-against-average (GAA) and four shutouts – tied for fifth most in the league.
Morgan returns to the roster after being one of five veterans not called in for games against Switzerland. The 2012 U.S. Soccer Female Athlete of the Year holds 118 caps and 71 goals to her name, which currently ranks eighth all time in U.S. Soccer history. After being one of the Pride’s first three signings, Morgan was named the team’s captain and went on to score four goals and win NWSL Player of the Week twice.
Ellis will name 18 players to suit up for each match. These will be the final games for the USA in 2016.
Tickets for the 2017 Orlando Pride season are now on sale. The Pride will kickoff the Club’s second season in a brand new home, Orlando’s newly-built, soccer-specific venue located in the heart of downtown Orlando.
