As they continue their first week of preseason, the Pride are motivated by last year’s disappointment.
Since falling at Portland in the semifinal, the players have been itching to get back at it.
“Well obviously our break was a little bit shorter, but I think most of us like it because the offseason seemed so long,” Kristen Edmonds said. “I worked with some of the girls that were around this offseason and we just got ready to go for when everyone got here.”
The Pride are focused on a single goal this season - winning the 2018 National Women’s Soccer League Championship.
“Here we not only talk about beating Portland, but actually winning the league,” Marta said through a translator. “No doubt our potential is very, very big. We have only practiced for [a few] days, but it's obvious that we have a very, very good potential of winning the championship.”
From the moment that cleats are laced up to the last second of training, the Pride are determined to bring a championship home to Orlando. Despite the players not in preseason due to national team commitments, the competition is still intense.
Six national team players aren’t in camp yet - Orlando won’t have a full squad until the end of April - so the veterans that are, are building up their younger teammates to prepare them for when their numbers will be called.
“What we try to do is to bring the players who just got on the team under our wings and try to help them and show them what to do,” Marta explained. “Obviously it's not easy when the players are away, so it is an opportunity for the new players to show what they can do.”
Part of showing the new players what to do is training with a winning mindset and balancing the disappointment of the past with the excitement of what’s to come.
“Our goal is always the same, everyone wants to win a championship,” Edmonds said. “We were so close last year and it definitely stung, and it still stings a little bit for me, but that is our goal, to win a championship.”
Despite the fierce competition and desire to win, the Pride are still keeping it fun, utilizing unconventional ways to prepare themselves for the best possible season, complete with Marta strumming an air guitar on the side of the field.
“I believe that the secret is just to be yourself, show your essence here,” Marta suggested.
That essence can be felt, with chemistry already building on and off the field.
“The environment that the coaches have created and the Club has created in general is just really positive, it’s very family oriented,” Edmonds referenced. “We are all getting along really well.”
One thing is for sure, this “family” is ready. Ready to compete and ready to bring a championship home to Orlando.
“Definitely. We are coming back after it this year,” Edmonds finished.
