Familiar Territory
Shelina Zadorsky will play her first match at Maryland SoccerPlex since being traded to the Pride in January 2018. Zadorsky spent her first two years in the NWSL with Washington. The defender appeared in 33 matches and was captain in 2017. Ali Krieger, Ashlyn Harris, Christine Nairn and Toni Pressley have also previously played for the Spirit. Defender Carson Pickett won the W-League Championship as a member of the Washington Spirit Reserves in 2015.
Scoring Royalty
Last week in the 21st minute, Marta converted a penalty kick, becoming Orlando Pride’s all-time leading goal scorer with 14. Marta’s first goal in purple came on May 7, 2017, against FC Kansas City. Three of Marta’s goals came during games against Washington with two of them occurring in the past two matches against the Spirit. Through two seasons, she is Orlando all-time leading scorer against the Maryland-based team.
Back to the Glory Days
Orlando Pride defender Ali Krieger attended Penn State where she played soccer alongside Washington Spirit players Joanna Lohman and Tiffany Weimer. In 2003 the trio led the Nittany Lions to the NCAA Quarter Finals. That same year Krieger appeared in every match and was honored as Big Ten Rookie of the Year. Orlando Pride mid elder Christine Nairn also attended Penn State from 2009-12. Nairn was named Big Ten Mid elder of the Year during her senior campaign and a runner-up for the MAC Hermann Trophy in 2013.
We're Going Streaking
With a point last weekend, the Pride have extended the regular-season point streak to 10 games, dating back to a 1-1 draw against Chicago Red Stars on Aug. 5 of last year. It was also the first point the Pride have taken in a season-opening game, having fallen in their previous two season openers, both on the road at Portland Thorns FC.
Where in the World is...
Marta, Monica and Poliana are currently in training camp with the Brazil National Team as they continue preparations for their 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup Qualifying tournament. Alanna Kennedy and Emily van Egmond are doing the same with the Australia National Team. Brazil will compete in the 2018 Copa América Femenina and Australia will partake in the 2018 AFC Women’s Asian Cup; in both tournaments the top two teams will secure a spot in the World Cup. All players will return to the Pride following the conclusion of the games.
Alex Update
After sustaining a head injury March 24 against the Utah Royals, Alex Morgan is questionable for Saturday’s game against Washington. Morgan entered the league’s concussion protocol following the collision and is listed as day-to-day.
It's All Right With Kriegs
During the second half against Utah, defender Ali Krieger made the transition from center back to her natural position at right back, highlighting the versatility of Orlando’s back line. Krieger has played as a right back for the majority of her career, but has spent the bulk of her time with the Pride anchoring the defense as the team’s right center back. However, with the addition of several new defenders in the offseason, Head Coach Tom Sermanni is afforded more flexibility in building his back line with several players able to compete in a variety of different positions.
Round Up The Reinforcements
Orlando Pride has signed Abby Elinsky, Christine Creighton and 2018 NWSL College Draft pick Nádia Gomes as National Team Replacement Players ahead of Saturday’s game against Washington. All three players have been with the Pride through preseason and have remained with the team as training players following the start of regular-season. Enlinsky, Creighton and Gomes join former UCF product Bridget Callahan, who was signed as a NTRP prior to the Pride season opener.
