In the 59th minute of Saturday’s match, the greatest of all time made her NWSL debut. Marta took the pitch as a substitute for fellow Brazilian midfielder Monica, and her impact was immediate.
“Every time she touched the ball, the crowd went nuts,” Danica Evans said. “I think that brought a bit of extra energy to the team.”
The five time FIFA Player of the Year has only been in Orlando for roughly 48 hours, yet she made her presence known on the pitch against the Washington Spirit. Her best chance came in the first minute of stoppage time, when a shot from inside the box went just wide of goal.
“I’m just a little bit disappointed,” Marta admitted after the match with a smile. “I had one chance to score my goal and I missed it by just a little and that’s what’s in my head right now. I can’t believe it.”
Was Marta, perhaps, too excited to score?
“Absolutely,” she answered without hesitation.
Head Coach Tom Sermanni couldn’t be happier with the veteran midfielder in her first performance.
“Not bad for an unknown player,” Sermanni said, laughing. “She changed the game. She came in and the worst possible moment happened for us. They scored virtually as she was coming on the pitch. But I think you saw her class and her quality and her creativity for that last twenty-five, thirty minutes tonight and considering the travel she’s had, the commitments that she’s had over the last couple of days, I think tonight she showed how good of a pro to be able to come on and perform that way.”
Even with her limited appearance in Saturday’s match, Sermanni said that Marta has already had an impact on her teammates and the staff.
“Everybody was excited. Not just the young players, everybody,” Sermanni said. “It’s given everybody such a boost and such a lift. And it’s not just her playing ability. What makes a complete player what you are and what you do on the field, but also how you are off the field. And she is a consummate professional and a consummate team player off the field.”
Marta has felt incredibly welcomed since her arrival in Orlando on Thursday night. And she knows that this is only the beginning.
