In the National Women’s Soccer League roster depth is a luxury, one the Orlando Pride are fortunate to have in spades and on Saturday against Seattle Reign FC it was on full display.
With U.S. WNT players Alex Morgan and Ashlyn Harris away preparing for the Tournament of Nations, the lineup for Saturday’s match looked slightly different, most notably presence of Haley Kopmeyer in goal and a new formation that was first debuted last weekend against.
Since joining the Pride on Jan. 29, Kopmeyer has served as the backup to Harris, appearing in one match prior to this weekend. Despite the lack of playing time during league play, she has been one of the squad’s biggest additions, remaining prepared for the next time her name would be called.
“Within this team I have a role here and I'm trying to better myself and help better this team and hopefully that leads to good things," Kopmeyer said.
As luck would have it, that call would come for the second time this season against her former team: the Reign.
In Saturday’s match, Kopmeyer made six saves, including five in the first half to help the Pride preserve the scoreline and secure a much needed point.
“I know that the people here believe in me to step in, in the same sense that I believe in them to go out and play,” Kopmeyer said. “When I get that chance to play I'm excited for it and it's something I don't take lightly.”
Kopmeyer’s play against the Reign was not uncharacteristic, in fact it was reflective of the type of goalkeeper her teammates and coaches believe she is.
“Kops, as I've said all along, is a first-choice NWSL goalkeeper and she showed that today,” Sermanni said. “She pulled off some really critical saves for us and looked very safe and very sound in the back.”
In addition to the strong play from Kopmeyer, the squad’s depth was displayed in the form of defender Toni Pressley, who scored the Pride’s lone goal of the match on one end and then backed up Kopmeyer to stop a sure goal for the Reign on the other.
One of six remaining players from the Pride’s inaugural 2016 roster, the defender started the first five matches of the season, then saw her role change and has since seen playing time sporadically in the midfield.
“Coming in at a different role, I think I had to keep a positive mindset,” Pressley said. “I knew that I wanted to be on the field no matter where it was and contribute in any way that I can to the team and I’m happy to do so wherever that is on the field.”
And contribute she did.
Pressley’s goal gave the Pride a crucial point on the night and was her first of the season and only the second during her career.
Perhaps more impressive than her goal was her goal-line save that preserved the scoreline and the result of the match. Pressley sprinted from far upfield to make the play, first blocking the shot off her back and then making the turn to serve the ball into safety.
“I just try always to put myself in a good position, no matter where it is on the field, and fortunately I was able to score a goal and make a save as well,” Pressley said.
Sermanni said that her performance “gives solidity in midfield,” further adding that “she gives us a physical presence in there and obviously a danger in the box and she managed to score for us."
While both Kopmeyer and Pressley’s performances were worthy of praise, they both said that from here the team moves on and shifts focus to what’s next.
Coming at the Pride are five more matches in a critical time as the team pushes for one of the remaining playoff positions. With North Carolina having clinched a postseason berth, the Pride are one of six teams vying for the remaining three - all separated by just eight points.
“Every game, every opportunity for three points is super, super valuable,” Kopmeyer said. “It's such a tight table and we know that we need points."
The Pride have the opportunity to add three more vital points in two weeks time, hosting Sky Blue FC at Orlando City Stadium on August 5.
