ORLANDO, Fla. – Goodbyes in the National Women’s Soccer League are oftentimes not easy. That was the case for Washington Spirit goalkeeper Aubrey Bledsoe. She was traded by the Orlando Pride during this past offseason, but she didn’t leave on bad terms.
In fact, it was Bledsoe’s positive play in the 2017 season that made her attractive to teams needing a new starting goalkeeper. Bledsoe earned a starting spot with the Spirit after taking over for an injured Ashlyn Harris for 11 games, making 35 saves and posting a 6-3-2 record last season.
The cycle is now complete: Bledsoe made her first return to Central Florida since being traded in a 2-1, Pride win on July 7. In that bout, Bledsoe added to her league-leading saves total with a 10-save performance.
“It was fun to be back. Little bit of a homecoming for me,” Bledsoe said after the match. “This place, this stadium, the fans — they mean a lot to me. So, it’s a little more emotional than I thought.”
Bledsoe started her night in the goal opposite Orlando City Stadium’s supporters’ section but could hear words of encouragement from the crowd anyway. Whenever she made a save, caught a cross or punched away a threatening ball, occasional bursts of, “Good job, Aubrey,” or, “Nice save, Aubrey,” could be heard from the crowd, despite her hindrance of the Pride.
That’s an encouraging feeling for the 26-year-old keeper. She said it gives her “a sense of peace,” knowing she left Orlando with an intact relationship.
“It just gives me kind of a sense of peace. I know everyone here wishes for my good,” Bledsoe said. “Yeah, you know, that’s rare. It’s not often you get traded and people still love you and still root for you, you know, when you’re not on the team anymore.
“But, yeah, I know that I was valued here and appreciated here in Orlando by, you know, the players, the staff, the community. So, it means a lot to me.”
Third-year Pride head coach Tom Sermanni brought Bledsoe to Orlando when he selected her with the 10th and final pick in the 2015 National Women’s Soccer League Expansion Draft. She was the Pride’s second keeper selected after the team selected Harris with the second-overall pick.
Sermanni finds only joy in seeing Bledsoe succeed.
“Yeah, I mean, it just shows that we were right when we brought her here that she was a first-choice goalkeeper in this league,” Sermanni said after training on June 22, ahead of the Pride’s second match with Washington. “… It’s terrific to see her be so successful because, you know, she was fantastic for us every day at training and whenever she was called upon to play.
“You know, it’s great to see those players develop, get an opportunity and seize that opportunity.”
Bledsoe has unarguably taken advantage of her new opportunity. She has been one of a few bright spots on a Washington side that is only ahead of last-place Sky Blue FC and its three points. The Cincinnati, Ohio, native leads the NWSL in saves with 80, besting second-place Kailen Sheridan (51) and third-place Harris (50).
As for the Spirit’s attack, it has faltered in their last six games, as Washington’s only goal came in that period came against Orlando. In total, Washington is tied with Sky Blue in fewest goals (11).
“Yeah, obviously, I wish, you know, we could have some more goals, give a little more leeway on the scoreline, but, every game, it’s the same mentality: I’m aiming for a shutout,” Bledsoe said. “Keep the other team from scoring, and, [if] I do my end, it gives us at least a tie, right?
“Hopefully our shots will start falling. It’s been a little unlucky, but, you know, you make your own luck in the same sense…”
Bledsoe is looking at her team’s struggles with a glass-half-full perspective. Despite the number of shots Washington’s defense has faced — for example, Orlando tallied a team record 31 shots in the two teams’ final meeting of the regular season — Bledsoe sees these experiences as opportunities to grow.
She won’t soon forget her experience in Orlando, though, crediting Harris and Pride keepers coach Lloyd Yaxley with preparing her for the starting gig she has now.
“Yeah, I think I’ve grown a lot this season. Yeah, like you said, I’ve faced a lot of shots. It’s a good stat but also not a great stat to be leading the league in,” Bledsoe said. “… But, yeah, I’ve just grown a lot just being able to play consistently, week in and week out.
“You know, being behind Ash, I learned a lot from training with her and Lloyd and, now, being on the other end of it. Getting to face, you know, all the challenges that a game brings and learning and growing from each one. It’s been great. It’s been a great experience, and I’m a much better keeper for it, and it’s been fun.”
Orlando’s next match is with the Houston Dash on Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. As for Bledsoe and the Spirit, they will also be on the road Wednesday, facing the No. 1 North Carolina Courage at 7 p.m.
For more on the Pride and their former players, 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.
