Orlando Pride’s
Ashlyn Harris says she feels sorry for the teams that will face them this season.
It’s not like the Orlando Pride’s attack was lacking last season.
The Pride led the NWSL in both goals (45) and assists (30) in 2017.
Brazilian star Marta was second in the league with 13 goals and American striker Alex Morgan was in the top 10 in goals scored with nine despite missing the first half of the season while playing in France. Three other players had at least four goals for the Pride.
During the offseason, the Pride bolstered their already-potent attack with key additions, including forward Sydney Leroux, who had six goals for FC Kansas City last season.
So now, when goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris looks at the Pride’s roster, she feels bad for the clubs who have to face the Pride.
Orlando opens its season on March 24 at home against expansion side Utah Royals FC.
“I feel bad for other teams,” Harris said. “I’m glad I’m not going against them because they are going to be flying at all
different cylinders. That’s going to be rough for some teams. If they’re on and everyone’s there at the same time — which is going to be the toughest part — they’re going to be unstoppable.
“I’m hoping they come out, they’re healthy, they’ve done all the preparation work in the offseason and they’re fit and ready to start scoring goals.”
There’s only one problem. Many of the Pride’s best players — nine total — will miss time during this World Cup qualifying year due to national team duties. Harris and Morgan are training with the U.S. women’s national team ahead of the SheBelieves Cup, which kicks off Thursday at Mapfre Stadium in Columbus, Ohio.
Marta, along with fellow Brazilians Poliana and Monica, are in Brazil for a two-week training camp.
Four players are headed to the 2018 Algarve Cup in Portugal, which starts Wednesday. Nádia Gomes, the 23rd overall pick in the 2018 NWSL College Draft, earned her first call-up to Portugal’s senior national team. Canadian defender Shelina Zadorsky will also be in Portugal for the tournament. So will defender Alanna Kennedy and midfielder Emily van Egmond, who are representing Australia.
According to team officials, the only players who won’t be back in time for the season opener are the ones representing Australia’s national team. They’ll be busy with World Cup qualifying.
“That’s the nature of the beast,” Harris said.
Leroux has been participating in preseason training with the Pride. She said most players who’ve been capped several times for their national teams know how to easily get back into the swing of their club seasons.
“I think it’s going to be a really fun year,” she said. “I think we have a really strong team. Hopefully I can add to it and make it better than it was. I’m really excited. I’ve played with or against a lot of these girls, so it’s been really seamless.”
Morgan, speaking at ChampionsGate before the women’s national team started training for the SheBelieves Cup, praised the club’s acquisition of Leroux.
“I think we have a pretty good lineup,” Morgan said with a smile. “I haven’t played with Syd for a couple of years and I just feel like we play so well together. I’m really excited to play with her again. She is just is ruthless on the field and I love seeing that. I feel like that’s contagious throughout the team.
“It’s going to make us want to tackle harder. It’s going to make us want to run harder. She’s just a player on the field that gives her all and isn’t afraid to go to ground at any point in the game. I’m really looking forward to playing with Syd again. I’m happy she’s here with the Pride playing in purple.”