Tom Sermanni Discusses Marta Signing; Pride Beat U23 U.S. WNT

Orlando Pride hosted its final match of the preseason on Friday afternoon and posted a 3-0 victory over the U.S. U23 Women’s National Team. The Pride were led by midfielder Kristen Edmonds, who scored the game’s first two goals before assisting on the third.

“It’s been a reasonably solid preseason I think we’ve gradually improved as we’ve gotten into the games. Today’s game was the toughest game of the preseason and we worked very hard,” Head Coach Tom Sermanni said after the match.  “So, a lot of positive stuff but we’ve got a lot of things to work on between now and the first league  game [at Portland] next week.”

Edmonds opened the scoring in the 12th minute, stepping in to intercept a pass from the U23 defender and taking the ball in alone for the goal. Then, in the 25th minute, Edmonds collected a long ball from Steph Catley that was played on with a creative flick from rookie Danica Evans, for her second of the game.

Forward Jasmyne Spencer finished the scoring in the second half, firing in Edmonds’ cross from the left. Catley created the play with another well-placed long ball, picking out Edmonds running down the line.

With preseason coming to a close, the Pride will look ahead to their opening match when they travel to face Portland Thorns FC on Saturday, April 15. The match will mark the first Game of the Week on Lifetime, kicking off at 3 p.m. ET from Providence Park.

The Pride host their first match at Orlando City Stadium on Saturday, April 22 against the Washington Spirit. The match will also be nationally broadcast on Lifetime with a 4 p.m. ET kickoff.

Season, single-game and group tickets are currently on sale and can be purchased at orlando-pride.com/tickets or by calling (855) ORL-CITY.

Scoring Summary:
ORL – Kristen Edmonds 12’
ORL – Kristen Edmonds (Danica Evans) 25’
ORL – Jasmyne Spencer (Kristen Edmonds) 73’

Lineups:
Orlando: 19 – Aubrey Bledsoe (Hannah Seabert 76’); 4 – Jamia Fields, 14 – Alanna Kennedy, 3 – Toni Pressley (5 – Laura Alleway 46’), 7 – Steph Catley (Jordan O’Brien 76’); 18 – Maddy Evans (Nickolette Driesse 66’), 12 – Kristen Edmonds, 17 – Dani Weatherholt (Carol Rodrigues 76’); 22 – Christina Burkenroad (2 – Cami Levin 66’), Danica Evans, 23 – Jasmyne Spencer