Midfielder Joanna Fennema, formerly Boyles, retired from professional soccer, the team announced on Feb. 28. She played 19 matches for the Orlando Pride in 2019 but will ultimately end her playing days because of a chronic back injury.
“Although my heart and my head wish to continue, my body is saying to stop,” Fennema said, per an official release. “After a sudden back injury, it is in my best interest for my future health to retire from soccer. I’d like to thank the entire Orlando Pride organization, my coaches who helped me fulfill a dream and my teammates who became great friends throughout my time in Orlando.
“To the fans, thank you for embracing me over the last year. Orlando will always hold a special place in my heart.”
Fennema joined Orlando as a national-team replacement player. She made her debut in purple in Orlando’s 2-0, season-opening loss to Portland Thorns FC. Her lone goal came in a 2-2 draw on the road against the Houston Dash, wherein she also recorded one of her two assists.
Before joining the National Women’s Soccer League, Fennema played collegiately at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, tallying 14 goals and 17 assists across 84 appearances in four seasons. Initially, the Boston Breakers selected her with the 32nd-overall pick in the 2018 NWSL College Draft, but then they folded. The Chicago Red Stars subsequently acquired her with the 25th pick in the Breakers dispersal draft.
Fennema has represented the United States on the international stage with the U-17 squad, playing in the 2012 U-17 FIFA Women’s World Cup.in Azerbaijan. She also helped the U-17s win the 2012 Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football Championship in Guatemala.
“We are devastated for Jo but thankful that she was able to catch tihs injury now, and we 100% support her decision to put her health first,” Pride Head Coach Marc Skinner said, per the release. “Jo embodied the passion and dedication of the Pride crest, and we are thankful we were able to work with her, even if it was for just a season.
“We wish Jo the best of luck, and she will always be a part of our Pride family.”
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Fortunately for the Pride, their midfield will have plenty of depth. Orlando added two new midfielders via third-overall pick Taylor Kornieck and 30th-overall pick Chelsee Washington. The Pride will also have Aussies Alanna Kennedy and Emily van Egmond and Brazilian Camila Martins Pereira, among others.
For more on the Pride, as they look forward to the start of the preseason, follow Victor Tan on Twitter at @NDR_VictorTan.
To contact Victor for tips and/or memes (happy to send or receive), you can email him at vtan@newdayreview.com, or you can tweet at him.
