Call it a Comeback
After four weeks of competition, Orlando Pride will finally have its full roster for a match. Australians Alanna Kennedy and Emily van Egmond are available for selection for the first time this season and Brazilians Marta, Monica and Poliana could appear for the first time since the Pride’s home opener against Utah Royals FC.
Kennedy and van Egmond were absent from the beginning of the season due to national team commitments. In late February to March the two mid elders competed with Australia in the Algarve Cup, finishing fourth in the tournament. They then took part in a residency camp leading up to the AFC Women’s Asian Cup from April 7-20.
M&M Take the Pitch
For the first time since March 24, Alex Morgan and Marta will appear on the pitch together. Morgan or Marta have had a hand in 28 of the Pride’s last 47 goals. Last season, Morgan and Marta paired up for five total goals.
The C’s Have It
Orlando Pride’s last two goals were both scored by forward Chioma Ubogagu and assisted by mid elder Christine Nairn. In 2017, her first season with Orlando, Ubogagu scored four goals and one as a member of the Houston Dash in 2016. Nairn’s two assists with Orlando increased her league-leading regular season total to 20. With her second assist, Nairn tied Danielle Colaprico, Kristen Hamilton and So a Huerta for the most assists in the league thus far this season. Orlando’s only other goal this season was scored by Marta from the penalty spot against the Utah Royals FC on March 24.
Ladies, Let's Get Information
In the past two matches Head Coach Tom Sermanni has deployed a three-back formation with Ali Krieger, Toni Pressley and Shelina Zadorsky. The trio has limited their opponents to 10 shots on goal and helped record the team’s first shutout on April 22 against the Houston Dash.
Roster Moves
With the return of the five international players, National Team Replacements Bridget Callahan, Abby Elinsky and Nàdia Gomes have been released by the Pride. Christine Creighton is currently injured and will remain under contract while she recovers. Callahan played against the Washington Spirit and Elinsky recorded minutes against Portland Thorns FC and the Houston Dash.
In The Air Tonight
Forward Sydney Leroux is currently searching for her first goal with the Orlando Pride. Through four matches she leads the team in shots taken with 10, ve of them on goal. Last weekend against the Houston Dash, Leroux nearly found the back of the net but was denied by the post. During her NWSL career, Leroux has tallied 23 goals; ve of those goals occurred in 2014 with the Seattle Reign.
France, We Are Coming For You!
Five Orlando Pride players have helped their countries secure bids to the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France. Marta, Monica and Poliana helped Brazil defeat Colombia 3-0 to win the Copa América Femenina and book their tickets while Alanna Kennedy and Emily van Egmond aided in getting Australia qualified for the tournament after a 2nd-place finish at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup. All five players have previously appeared in World Cup tournaments.
The 2019 tournament would mark Marta’s fifth World Cup, while it would be van Egmond’s third and the second for Kennedy, Monica and Poliana. Marta has scored 15 goals on the World Cup level, the most all-time by any female player in the tournament.
Orlando Pride Forever
Haley Kopmeyer, Christine Nairn and Carson Pickett will face their former team for the first time. The three former Reign players were acquired via a trade by Orlando on Jan. 29 that sent former Pride teammates Steph Catley and Jasmyne Spencer to Seattle. Kopmeyer spent five years with Seattle, totaling 46 appearances, 11 clean sheets and 185 saves. Nairn recorded nine assists as a member of the Reign and Pickett was drafted No. 4 overall in the 2016 NWSL College Draft and appeared in 36 matches.
Catley and Spencer were both with Orlando for the Club’s first two seasons. During their two years, Catley appeared in 35 matches and scored the Club’s first ever goal, and Spencer appeared in 41 matches and scored seven goals.
Forward Sydney Leroux spent the 2014 season with the Reign, appearing in 24 matches and scoring five goals.
