The 2017 NWSL season is just around the corner and the Orlando Pride have some new faces, as well as some returning veterans, that will take the pitch in the new year. If you’re a new Orlando Pride fan, or if you just want to get to know some of the new players acquired in the offseason, we’ve got you covered. Here’s your breakdown of the 2017 Pride roster:
Newly Acquired
Defender- Alanna Kennedy: Alanna Kennedy spent last season with the Western New York Flash, now the North Carolina Courage. Using her height to her advantage, Kennedy is a central defender that can make an impact in the box. Kennedy spent her offseason playing in her native Australia, appearing as a defender for Sydney FC. Kennedy also plays for the Australian Women’s National Team.
Defender- Ali Krieger: Ali Krieger spent last season with the Washington Spirit, whom she played with for the first four NWSL seasons. Krieger primarily plays as a right back; she can cover the field well and brings a lot of experience to the pitch. Krieger also plays for the U.S Women’s National Team.
Defender- Camila Pereira: Camila came over in the offseason from Brazilian side Tiradentes. Camila previously appeared with the Houston Dash in the 2015 season and appeared for the U-20 Brazilian Women’s National Team in the 2014 U-20 Women’s World Cup. Camila is a versatile defender, who can play both on the backline and on the wings.
Forward- Chioma Ubogagu: Chioma Ubogagu came to the Orlando Pride through a trade with the Houston Dash in the offseason.Ubogagu played for Arsenal Ladies at the start of her career, before coming over to play for the Houston Dash. Ubogagu had one goal and one assist in fifteen appearances for the Dash last season.
Draft Picks
Midfielder- Nickolette Driesse: Nickolette Driesse is a midfielder who spent her last two years of college with Penn State before being drafted in 2017 by the Orlando Pride. Driesse spent the first two years of her college career at Florida State University, playing alongside Orlando Pride Forward Jamia Fields. She scored a total of six goals and earned twenty assists in her college career.
Forward- Danica Evans: Danica Evans is a forward who spent her last two years of college playing for the University of Colorado. She spent her first two years of college playing at the University of Portland. Evans scored 28 goals and earned nineteen assists throughout her college career.
Returning Players
Goalkeeper- Aubrey Bledsoe: Aubrey Bledsoe made only one start last season for the Orlando Pride after an injury cut her season short. Although she hasn’t appeared much for the team, she has been praised by Head Coach Tom Sermanni as a starting-caliber player. She spent the first part of her career with Sky Blue FC and then played on loan with Danish club Fortuna Hjørring.
Goalkeeper- Ashlyn Harris: Ashlyn Harris made fifteen starts in fifteen appearances with the Pride last year. Harris had one of the highest save percentages in the league, and won the NWSL’s Goalkeeper of the Year award at the end of last season. Harris is also a member of the U.S Women’s National Team.
Defender- Laura Alleway: Laura Alleway will return to the Orlando Pride after spending her offseason playing for Melbourne City FC in Australia’s W-League. Alleway played in 11 games, earning 9 starts for the Pride last season. She is also a member of the Australian Women’s National Team.
Defender- Monica Hickmann Alves: Monica returns to the Pride after spending her offseason playing for Adelaide United in Australia’s W-League. Monica is a versatile player, who can play both in the midfield and on the defensive line. Monica is also a member of the Brazilian Women’s National Team.
Defender- McKenzie Berryhill: McKenzie Berryhill came to the Pride towards the end of last season after spending most of the year with the Portland Thorns. Berryhill will be entering her second year in the NWSL, after a successful college career with Arizona State University.
Defender- Steph Catley: Steph Catley spent her offseason playing with Melbourne City FC, where she captained the team that won Australia’s W-League Championship. Catley spent last season playing with the Pride, where she scored the team’s first goal. Catley made eleven appearances in eleven starts for the team last season. She also plays for the Australian Women’s National Team.
Defender- Camille Levin: Cami Levin made nine starts in ten appearances with the Pride last season. Before coming to the Pride, Levin played for Sky Blue FC and appeared for the Western Sydney Wanderers in Australia’s W-League. Levin has also previously appeared for the U.S National Team at the youth level.
Defender- Toni Pressley: Toni Pressley made eleven starts in fourteen appearances for the Pride last year. Pressley is an NWSL veteran, previously playing for the Houston Dash, the Western New York Flash, and the Washington Spirit. Pressley is a native of Melbourne, Florida.
Midfielder- Kristen Edmonds: Kristen Edmonds had a very successful campaign with the Orlando Pride last year, starting in nineteen out of the team’s twenty matches. Edmonds led the team in goals with six on the season. Edmonds has also recently been called-up by the U.S Women’s National Team.
Midfielder- Maddy Evans: Maddy Evans spent her offseason playing for Brisbane Roar FC in Australia’s W-League. Evans made twelve starts in sixteen appearances with the Pride last season. She’s a veteran midfield player, who has been in the NWSL since its inception.
Midfielder- Dani Weatherholt: Dani Weatherholt made nine starts in twelve appearances with the Pride last season. Weatherholt was drafted by the Pride in 2016, after playing at the college level with Santa Clara University. She also recently been called up by the U-23 U.S Women’s National Team.
Forward- Jamia Fields: Jamia Fields made six starts in twelve appearances with the Orlando Pride last season. She spent her first season in the NWSL with the Western New York Flash, now the North Carolina Courage. Fields spent her college career with Florida State University and was drafted by the Boston Breakers.
Forward- Sarah Hagen: Sarah Hagen was one of the Pride’s first signing leading up to last year’s inaugural campaign. Hagen made eight starts in seventeen appearances for the Pride last season, scoring two goals. Hagen previously played with the NWSL’s FC Kansas City and Frauen-Bundesliga’s FC Bayern Munich.
Forward- Christina Burkenroad: Christina Burkenroad was drafted by the Orlando Pride ahead of the 2016 season, after a successful college career with Cal State Fullerton. Burkenroad made seven appearances with the Pride last season, earning two starts.
Forward- Alex Morgan: Alex Morgan was one of the first players signed by the Orlando Pride. Morgan made fifteen starts in fifteen appearances for the Pride last season, scoring four goals. Morgan is currently playing with Ligue-1 Feminin team Olympique Lyonnais. Morgan is also a member of the U.S Women’s National Team.
Forward- Jasmyne Spencer: Jasmyne Spencer spent her offseason playing with Australian side Canberra United, where the team captured the regular season title. Spencer made seventeen starts in twenty appearances with the Pride last season, scoring four goals. Spencer is a quick forward, who can use her speed to move around defenders.
