ORLANDO, Fla. – Some of the Orlando Pride’s best players are naturally paid the most; forward Alex Morgan warrants her $450,000 salary almost on name alone, for example.
Then there are the players who, for Pride head coach Tom Sermanni, are beyond a price tag. One of those players is utility player Kristen Edmonds. The third-year Pride player has been with Orlando since its inaugural season in 2016 and has played a pivotal role each year.
Where Edmonds’ value lies is in her versatility. The Metuchen, New Jersey, native has played a multitude of positions around the pitch, save for goalkeeper and center back. For Sermanni, that makes her an “invaluable” asset.
“She came here as a full back, but she is what your classic utility player [is],” Sermanni said after training on June 12. “She’s a player who can play virtually every position in the park… She can play effectively everywhere, and those players are really invaluable in the squad.”
Edmonds relishes her ability to play anywhere on the field at any time, calling it her biggest strength. In this season alone, she’s started four games as a midfielder (three in the attack, one on the defense), one game at right back and one game as a forward.
For Edmonds, her versatility makes her unique and is an ability she cherishes. Wherever she’s at on the pitch, Edmonds is just happy to be playing soccer.
“I love being able to play different positions. I think that’s my biggest strength is that I can play almost anywhere on the field–just don’t put me in goal,” Edmonds said after training with a laugh on June 12. “… I’m a fan of the game, and I’m a student of the game, as well, not just a player.
“So, having all of those qualities, I think, is something that I bring to the table that’s different than other players, and I’m happy to just be on the field, you know, anywhere Coach needs me.”
While Edmonds hasn’t scored a goal in 2018, yet, Sermanni won’t soon forget the impact the 31-year-old made for the team in 2016. That season, Edmonds led a Pride roster, which included Morgan, with six goals and also added two assists to her name.
Perhaps her most memorable moment of that season was a two-goal, game-winning performance over the Boston Breakers on July 10, 2016. Edmonds drew a foul just outside Boston’s box and, moments later, scored a 90th-minute equalizer on the free kick. Three minutes into stoppage time, she scored the game-winner for the 2-1 win.
“You know, if you look back to Season 1, Kristen carried us in some games, carried us to wins, getting results and basically was the pulse of the team,” Sermanni recalled. “And she’s continued to be that pulse. The quality of our team, I think, has improved significantly.
“So, within that, her role, in one sense, has developed to being a player that can come in, do any kind of job, play any kind of position, and we know what kind of consistent performance we’re gonna get.”
Edmonds began playing multiple positions for her teams almost on a whim. As she was growing up, Edmonds recalled some of her teammates suffering injuries, allowing her to step into positions she, perhaps, hadn’t played before.
“Actually, I think it was a couple times people just–like, little injuries happened, and they were like, ‘Oh, my gosh. Who’s gonna play here?’ And I was like, ‘Oh, I will,'” Edmonds said. “So, I think it kinda just developed that way, and I watch a ton of soccer. So I’m always watching different positions and trying to learn qualities from each.”
And learning is what Edmonds has continued to do into her eighth professional season. She is of the mindset that she can always improve as a player, as the focus has been on her services and passing abilities this season.
Edmonds, however, did not set a personal goal for how many assists she wants this season. Considering the variability in the positions she plays and how long she’s been around the game, she understands that meeting statistical marks aren’t always dependent on her.
Ultimately, as long as the team earns points, that’s all that matters to her.
“Honestly, I don’t [have a personal goal for assists], and the reason I don’t do that is because you never know what the game is gonna give you,” Edmonds told the New Day Review after training on June 15. “You know, I could say I wanna get 10 points this season or score four goals and have four assists, but it’s not based on you.
“You know, it’s based on the team, and the thing I’m worried most about is how many points we get as a team. So, it’s not so much about my individual, but I just wanna help the team get three points, and, if we’re at the top of the table come the end of that, then I’ve helped do my job, and that’s what I care about most.”
Edmonds and the Pride return to the pitch Saturday night at 7 p.m. when they travel to face the Washington Spirit. Orlando fell to the Spirit 2-0 in the second game of the season.
For more on Edmonds and the Pride, as they look to extend their unbeaten streak to four games, follow Victor Tan on Twitter at @NDR_VictorTan.
To contact Victor, you can email him at vtan@newdayreview.com, or you can tweet at him.
