Seizing Opportunities
On Saturday in Utah, rookie forward Caitlin Farrell recorded her professional debut, entering the match for fellow rookie, midfielder Marisa Viggiano, in the 84th minute. The Georgetown product was signed by the Pride as a supplemental player. Two members of the Pride registered the first professional starts of their career in Viggiano and second-year forward Abby Elinsky. Viggiano was drafted No. 30 overall by the Pride in the 2019 NWSL College Draft, while Elinsky spent last season as a National Team Replacement Player in Orlando, appearing in two matches. Forward Danica Evans also recorded her first minutes of the 2019 season when she entered the match in the 75th minute.
A Historic New Home
This past week the Club announced that the Pride will receive their own customized, exclusive training facility beginning in the 2020 season. Following the Pride’s 2019 campaign, Sylvan Lake Park will undergo a complete renovation to become a Pride-specific facility, the first training facility in the NWSL that is tailored to and utilized exclusively by a women’s team. The historic move represents the Club’s continued commitment and investment toward the Pride for the long-term.
A New Face
On Thursday, the Pride announced the signing of Scotland Women’s National Team forward Claire Emslie. Emslie joins the Pride from Manchester City Women of England’s Women’s Super League (WSL), where she spent two seasons. In that time she recorded 31 appearances for the Blues with eight goals scored, helping Man City to the 2018-19 FA Women’s Continental League Cup Championship as well as the Women’s FA Cup. A graduate of Florida Atlantic University, Emslie will return to Florida to join the Pride following Scotland’s run at the World Cup.
Familiar Foes
Expected to start against North Carolina on Saturday, defender Morgan Reid will face off against her former team for the first time. Reid spent the entire 2018 season with the eventual NWSL Champions after being drafted No. 38 overall in the 2018 NWSL College Draft, appearing in two friendlies for the Courage. She was traded to the Pride on April 4 for a 2020 NWSL College Draft fourth round pick.
World Cup Outlook
Following this weekend’s contests, the NWSL will begin a two-week break for the start of the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup. With the signing of Emslie, a total of nine Pride players will be represented in France at this summers’ edition of the marquee international tournament.
Defender Alanna Kennedy and midfielder Emily van Egmond will be the first members of the Pride to begin World Cup play as Australia faces off against Italy to open Group C play at 7 a.m. ET on Sunday, June 9.
Brazilian internationals Camila and Marta follow the Matildas on the schedule, opening their 2019 World Cup campaign at 9:30 a.m. ET against Jamaica that same Sunday.
New signee Claire Emslie and Scotland will close out the World Cup matches on Sunday, facing off against England at 12 p.m. ET to open play in Group D. This tournament will serve as the first for the Scottish W
NT in their history.
Defender Shelina Zadorsky will make her World Cup debut on Monday, June 10 for Canada, facing Cameroon in the first match of Group E play. The match will kick off at 2 p.m. ET.
The U.S. WNT boasts the remaining three Pride players in the World Cup, with goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris, defender Ali Krieger and forward Alex Morgan representing the Club. The U.S. will begin their title defense on Tuesday, June 11 against Thailand in Group F play at 2 p.m. ET.
