The Orlando Pride will open their season the same way they did their inaugural one in 2016: with a match against the Portland Thorns. This time around, though, the Pride roster looks a little different.
On Monday, the Pride announced their full 20-player roster. United States women’s national-team forward Alex Morgan is no longer expected to carry the team after standout performances by the likes of Kristen Edmonds and Jasmyne Spencer. Brazilian superstar and five-time FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year Marta Vieira da Silva adds a new scoring threat, too.
Additionally, defender Mackenzie Berryhill, who was acquired by the Pride toward the latter end of the 2016 season, was played on the season-ending injury list. Berryhill did not pass her preseason medical examinations and was listed as indefinitely out.
Orlando open its season with an away match against Portland on Saturday at 3 p.m. Last season, Orlando lost both its matches to the Thorns 2-1.
Orlando Pride 2017 Roster
GOALKEEPERS (2): Aubrey Bledsoe, Ashlyn Harris
DEFENDERS (8): Laura Alleway, Mackenzie Berryhill, Steph Catley, Monica Hickmann Alves, Alanna Kennedy, Ali Krieger, Cami Levin, Toni Pressley
MIDFIELDERS (5): Nickolette Driesse, Kristen Edmonds, Maddy Evans, Camila Pereira, Dani Weatherholt
FORWARDS (7): Christina Burkenroad, Danica Evans, Jamia Fields, Alex Morgan, Jasmyne Spencer, Chioma Ubogagu, Marta Vieira da Silva
