In Week Nine of the NWSL season, Camila is one of her team’s top goal-scorers. She has three assists and three goals on the season, including a strike against the Houston Dash that was voted NWSL Goal of the Week. So it may surprise some to remember that Camila was originally signed as a defender, not a striker.
For Camila, the move was a welcomed one. She feels comfortable in the offense and her tallies on the scoresheet prove it.
“I did come as a defender, but when I got moved to be more offensive, I actually loved it. I love to be in the offense, to be able to score goals,” Camila said. “I think it was great for me and my teammates have supported me a lot. They give me freedom to play my game and they support me in anyway. So I think it was great for me and my team for me to move forward and score goals.”
According to Head Coach Tom Sermanni, the Pride didn’t have solid plans for Camila’s role when they first brought her in. From looking at her national team footage, they decided that she was a good all-around player and that her versatility would give them options to move her around where they needed her.
“Initially, we brought her in here after watching her as a left back for Brazil. But it was mainly her skill set that attracted us to her,” Sermanni said. “She looked mobile, she looked comfortable on the ball, she looked like she was a good football player all around. And once we got her in here, it was fairly obvious early on that she’s the type of player that-- apart from perhaps goalkeeper because of her height-- and center back, she could play anywhere.”
Camila’s strike over the weekend in Houston may have been her best yet. In the 16th minute, she set up the shot about 30 yards out and the ball soared over the head of Houston Dash Goalkeeper Lydia Williams. The goal brought praise from around the league, being voted the NWSL Goal of the Week.
“I’m happy to have scored the goal and for my goal to have been chosen as Goal of the Week. I’m happier that we could get the win,” Camila said. “That’s the best thing-- to get the win and help my team win. I’m just really happy to have scored and have our fans supporting us the whole week.”
Part of Camila’s success has come from her chemistry with Marta, who assisted on her goal over the weekend. Camila and Marta play together on the national team, and their friendship has helped Camila settle in both on and off the field.
“I’ve played a lot with her on the national team. And when she came here, I was really happy to play with her,” Camila said. “We hang out off the field. We already had a friendship, but we got closer when she got here. So, we play around on the field and she helps me a lot. Anytime I make a mistake or anything, she’s there to encourage me, push me to the best I can be. We always help each other on the field and we have a great relationship off the field as well.”
For now, Camila is focused on doing what she can to help her team. She credits her teammates and her coaches with her success, and hopes to continue to develop that skill to help her team keep winning.
“I love the team. Everyone welcomed me really well when I got here. Tom helps me alot and he gives me the freedom I have on the field. That’s one of the reasons I’ve been doing really well,” Camila said. “And we have a lot of big names here, a lot of great players that have helped me out. I’m their fan as well, I admire them a lot. I just want to keep doing what I’m doing.”
