When Orlando Pride took the pitch against the Western New York Flash on Saturday night, many players were preparing to play their old club for the first time. Five Pride players used to play for Western New York, including midfielder Kristen Edmonds, who played for the Flash their last two seasons.
“I knew there was going to be a little bit extra in tonight,” Edmonds said after the match. “I think the yellow card showed that.”
Edmonds started her career with a year in the Icelandic league and a year in the Russian league, before making her way to the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) and Western New York. While the emotions were high when she challenged her old club, Edmonds proved to be an aggressive and versatile midfielder with the ability to create goal-scoring opportunities.
“I don’t think Kristen [Edmonds] has ever played center mid before last game,” Captain Alex Morgan said after the match. “She has played fantastic; she has done so well on attack and defensively… She is so good with her feet; she’s quick and has good awareness of her teammates.”
Edmonds versatility is something that she works on in training. “I try to watch a lot of soccer and learn how each position plays on the field,” Edmonds said. “They can put me anywhere. Whatever the team needs me to do I’m going to do.”
Tonight, Edmonds proved to be a key player in the game. Aside from her aggressive attacks on her former club, Edmonds also took part in the lone goal of the match, pushing the ball through to Morgan.
“That ball was fantastic,” Morgan said with a smile. “I think we’ll see a lot more from her in the future.”
