ORLANDO, Fla. – March 12, 2016 –Under the direction of former U.S. Women's National Team head coach Tom Sermanni, Orlando Pride took to the training field for the first time, opening its inaugural National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) season on Monday morning.
“It was good to get the players out, have a look at their play and to get them into soccer straightaway,” said Sermanni. “My first impressions are very good. There’s nobody out there that looks like they are out of place, there’s no doubt that they’ve come back in good shape so the team is in good condition. All-in-all, a very good first day.”
The Pride has begun preparations for its first test, as it will face Eastern Florida State College at 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 19, in front of a sold-out crowd at Titan Soccer Complex.
2015 FIFA Women's World Cup Champions Alex Morgan and Ashlyn Harris will be practicing with their new Club for the first time on Thursday morning. Australian internationals Steph Catley and Laura Alleway are expected to arrive in market next week.
Season tickets for the Pride are currently available starting at $14 per game. To purchase season tickets, fans can call 855-ORL-CITY or visit: www.orlandocitysc.com/pride/tickets.
The full 2016 Pride schedule is now available at www.orlandocitysc.com/pride/schedule.
2016 Orlando Pride Preseason Roster
Goalkeepers (3): Aubrey Bledsoe, Ashlyn Harris^, Julia Kantor
Defenders (9): Laura Alleway^, Monica Hickmann Alves^, Steph Catley^, Kristen Edmonds, Maddy Evans, Cami Levin, Toni Pressley, Jackie Simpson, Samantha Witteman
Midfielders (8): Becky Edwards, Leah Fortune, Kaylyn Kyle, Sierra Lelii, Kim Reynolds, Lianne Sanderson, Lauren Smith, Dani Weatherholt
Forwards (8): Josée Bélanger^, Christina Burkenroad, Jamia Fields, Sarah Hagen, Chelsea Leiva, Alex Morgan^, Jasmyne Spencer, Allie Wisner
2016 NWSL Draft Pick
**Trialist
^Not Currently in Camp
