The NWSL season is currently on hold for the international break -- but not for long. Orlando is preparing for a rematch against Chicago this Saturday night at Orlando City Stadium. A Christen Press brace earned the Red Stars a 2-1 victory over the Pride last weekend, but Orlando is still well within striking distance for a top four finish.
“From the beginning we’ve known we have a very talented team. We know we need to win, and we know we can win,” Pride midfielder Dani Weatherholt told reporters at training on Tuesday morning. “We need to execute, and we know we can do that.”
After a few days off for the international break, the Pride returned to training this morning without the likes of Marta, Alex Morgan, Steph Catley, Alanna Kennedy, Ali Krieger, Monica and Camila who are off on international duty. Any team that loses seven regular starters may have difficulty maintaining the standard of intensity at training, but this has not been an issue for Weatherholt and the Pride:
“Its enabled everyone to step up. To lose six or seven starters out of any lineup is tough, but we have a lot of depth on this team and I think that is going to show in this upcoming week,” Weatherholt said.
International players will be coming off of short rest following the conclusion of the Tournament of Nations -- so Saturday’s match may give players with limited first team minutes this season an opportunity to start in front their home fans.
