Orlando Pride cheer on Kerr’s goal run
Sitting in Boston Logan International Airport, the Orlando Pride surrounded a laptop.
The team watched Sky Blue FC take on Seattle Reign FC. Orlando took care of business against Boston winning 2-1, moving into fourth place in the National Women’s Soccer League standings above Seattle.
The Pride needed Sky Blue to get at least a point to stay in fourth. However, Seattle took a 3-0 lead into halftime. Sky Blue stormed back, tying the game at 3, and ultimately completing a dramatic comeback win.
“It was funny at three each, it always looked like there was going to be more goals in this game,” Pride coach Tom Sermanni said.
He was right. The final 10 minutes consisted of pure chaos. Three goals between the two clubs, and a missed penalty by Sky Blue’s Sam Kerr. Eventual heartbreak for Seattle and exaltation for Sky Blue and Orlando. In the 85th minute, Kiersten Dallstream put the Reign up 4-3.
“When Seattle went up 4-3, I said that’s it, it’s all over,” Sermanni said.
But the game only started to delve deeper into its insanity. In the first minute of added time, Sky Blue’s Maya Hayes diverted a cross into the bottom left corner to square the contest at four.
More than 200 miles away and waiting to return home, the Pride players couldn’t contain their excitement.
“Sky Blue scored to tie and we were all screaming,” defender Kristen Edmonds said. “I think everyone in the airport kind of turned around to look at what we were doing.”
Two minutes later, Seattle conceded a penalty. Kerr, who was looking for her fourth goal of the match, stepped up to take the kick. She hit the crossbar. Thirty-five seconds later, Kerr got her goal, heading in a corner kick. Sky Blue’s improbable 5-4 comeback win was complete.
“They scored the winning goal, and we literally went nuts because we knew we had that fourth spot,” Edmonds said.
Orlando is two points ahead of Seattle in the standings. Sermanni texted Kerr after the match. The two have a connection through the Australian Women’s National Team. Sermanni managed the squad from 2005-2012, and Kerr has been a member of the team since 2009.
He wanted to thank her for giving Orlando breathing space between the Pride and Seattle.
“I sent her a wee text and she sent a nice little message back to me,” Sermanni said. “I said I can’t believe you only scored four goals against Seattle, they’re rubbish,” he jokingly added.
Changing positions is nothing new for Kristen Edmonds.
She grew up playing striker and on the wing before being moved around the pitch. After playing out wide and in the midfield for Orlando last season, she’s been deployed at right back.
While Steph Catley makes forward runs from her left-back position, Edmonds stays back, creating a back 3. She provides cover if opposing teams break for an attack.
“It’s just easier for me to tuck in just in case we do lose the ball,” she said. “And then if we need to switch it, I can easily release and then Steph can come back as well.”
Her versatility and willingness to play anywhere is infectious. Sermanni loves having options at different positions, and Edmonds is one he can use in a variety of ways.