We list all the major headlines as The Pride enter the second season in the NWSL by facing The Portland Thorns in Portland.
1 - Back for Revenge
Orlando Pride return to Portland where they debuted for the first time as an NWSL club. The Pride impressed in its NWSL debut with a wonderful start in the opening minutes when defender Steph Catley found the back of the net from a free kick in the 12th minute. The Pride defended well following, but a late Portland goal denied the Pride from leaving the West Coast with the three points.
2 - From Coast to Coast
The Pride will start the 2017 season with backto-back nationally televised matches on Lifetime. After leaving Portland, the A&E owned network will head to Orlando for the Pride’s first home match inside its new stadium. The Pride will feature in seven matches on Lifetime this season, after the NWSL signed a three-year agreement with Lifetime to broadcast the NWSL Game of the Week. The broadcast includes a 30-minute pregame show before the match kicks off.
3 - Arriving in Style
Orlando Pride will be wearing brand new purple kits throughout the 2017 campaign. Designed by Nike, the purple jersey feature the NWSL logo, the Lifetime logo and Club jersey sponsor Orlando Health across the front. The Club’s secondary blue color is woven into the sleeves.
4 - #FillTheBowl
After hitting the road against Portland Thorns FC, the Pride return home to unveil their new downtown stadium. Located on Church Street, the privately financed, soccer-specific stadium features North America’s first and only safestanding supporters’ section, a natural grass playing surface and a four-sided canopy roof to keep the noise in and weather out. The Pride debut in front of their home crowd on Saturday, April 22, at 4 p.m. at Orlando City Stadium.
5 - Getting The G.O.A.T.
The Pride recently signed five-time FIFA’s Women’s Player of the Year winner Marta on April 7. Marta has scored 105 goals for Brazil. The 31-year-old forward joins the Pride after winning 10 league titles over the last 12 years, most recently leading Swedish side FC Rosengård to the 2014 and 2015 Damallsvenskan title. Marta is scheduled to join the Pride pending the receipt of her P-1 visa and International Transfer Certificate (ITC).
6 - The Best of the Best
Ashlyn Harris dominated in her first season with the Orlando Pride and was voted NWSL’s Goalkeeper of the Year. Harris was the first player to win a league award in a Pride jersey after finishing the Club’s first season with 62 saves and a 1.33 goals against average. The team captain also won NWSL Save of the Week eight times, the most in the league.
7 - Reloaded and Ready To Go
Orlando Pride made a splash in the offseason with some big signings. In addition to Marta, the Pride brought in U.S. Women’s National Team right back Ali Krieger from the Washington Spirit to boost an already strong back line. Krieger’s decorated career is highlighted by winning the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup with the USWNT. Australian defender Alanna Kennedy also joined the Pride this offseason and adds another strong defender in the back. Kennedy joined the Pride after winning the 2016 NWSL Championship with the former Western New York Flash. Forward Chioma Ubogagu will help on the attacking front, while Brazilian defender Camila can be a versitile playmaker on either the back line or in the midfield.
