In the 3-2 victory over Sky Blue FC on Saturday, Rachel Hill and Sydney Leroux proved to be the deciding factors for the Orlando Pride.
With three goals between the two in the match, the forwards are showing that they have more in common than one might think.
Leroux recorded a brace in the first half, first with the fastest goal in Pride history 92 seconds into the match and then again off a diving header that left the forward mid-air for several moments in the 16th minute.
At a stalemate following two conceded goals, Head Coach Tom Sermanni made the decision to insert Hill, describing the value of having her on the pitch simply as added “energy.”
“She comes on and she injects energy,” Sermanni said. “She injects pace. She injects enthusiasm. She injects forward runs. And that’s changing the games.”
Sermanni added, “Whether we start Rachel or whether she comes on, she really impacts stuff because of those factors.”
Those factors resemble a young Leroux, who possessed many of the same qualities when she was 22 as Hill.
In 2012 Leroux earned the title of a super-sub for her direct impact from the moment she set foot on the pitch, something she sees in the Hill today.
That year Leroux set a U.S. record for goals scored as a substitute with 14 and this season Hill has scored three goals for the Pride coming off the bench, setting a Club record.
"I've always been a runner,” Leroux said. “I like getting in tackles, I like the defensive part of being a forward and sometimes you don't see that. I think it's important and I think Rachel does an amazing job and she's been so great. She's awesome."
Hill’s impact became evident in the 83rd minute when her head connected with a cross from Alex Morgan, sending the ball into the back of the net and giving the Pride the win.
"Alex put in a fantastic ball, so I really didn't have any other option than to get my head on it,” Hill said. "Coming on as a sub, we all know that's the goal that we have.”
At 23 years old, Hill is five years younger than her veteran counterpart and when asked about Leroux she began to smile, speaking on the significance that the 28-year-old has made in her life, both on and off the pitch.
“She’s incredible,” Hill said. “She’s a great person on and off the field. She’s just always a fun person to be around, but she also works harder than almost anyone. It’s inspiring to see that and I just try to work as hard as she does."
