Prior to Saturday’s Grand Final, Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) announced it’s 2018-19 Team of the Season and the Orlando Pride were prominently featured, boasting three of the 11 members of the squad. Alanna Kennedy, Rachel Hill and Christine Nairn all earned the postseason accolade after leading their respective teams to the Westfield W-League postseason this year.
On the Eve of what would prove to be another championship season for Kennedy, the Australian international earned Team of the Season accolades for the second time in her career. Kennedy previously won Team of the Season honors in 2016-17, the first year the award was introduced. The defender finished her ninth W-League campaign with three goals, playing all 90 minutes in each of her 12 appearances, and claiming the 2018-19 W-League title with her hometown club.
It was the second year in a row Kennedy took home the silverware, after winning the 2017-18 title with Melbourne City FC.
In her second-straight season with Perth Glory, Hill continued to show impressive offensive form. The 23-year-old forward ended the season atop the league in totals assist with seven, and fourth in the league with six goals. Hill helped Glory punch its ticket to the 2018-19 Grand Final, scoring Perth’s second goal late in the second half en route to a 4-2 extra time victory.
Last year Hill was named a best XI substitute after her first season in the W-League.
Nairn and Melbourne Victory posted a tremendous regular season, finishing atop the league and winning the first Premiership in club history. Nairn, in her fourth season in the W-League and with Victory, ended the year with five goals and four assists - later adding a scorcher goal during last week’s semifinal round. Playing alongside Pride teammate Dani Weatherholt, Nairn ended the year with 34 chances created, the second most in the W-League.
It was Nairn’s second time on the list, after being named a Team of the Season substitute in 2016-17. In addition, Nairn also earned January Player of the Month honors from the PFA.
The Pride begin the 2019 National Women’s Soccer League preseason on March 4, with matches beginning the weekend of April 13. Season and group tickets are currently available at (855) ORL-CITY or by visiting orlando-pride.com/tickets.
