Hill making most of shot with Orlando
Forward has 3 goals in her second season
The Orlando Pride finally got the offensive explosion they were waiting for against the Chicago Red Stars.
All three of the club’s biggest attackers were involved in the Pride’s 5-2 victory over Chicago.
Sydney Leroux came off the bench and netted her first two goals of the season. Alex Morgan provided a goal, her second goal of the season. Marta continued her fine form and picked up her third assist in two games.
For Rachel Hill, it was fun to watch — even more fun to be a part of. It was satisfying because it was a bounce-back from a subpar performance for the club against the league-leading North Carolina Courage.
“After the performance against North Carolina … obviously it wasn’t our best,” Hill said. “We knew that we needed to do better and that we could to better. I think that we just all held ourselves accountable and just had a great performance.”
Hill scored her second goal in two games. She’s got three goals so far this season — her second
with the Pride — and is second on the team behind Chioma Ubgoagu, another forward who wasn’t a household name before the season but who, like Hill, is working to change that.
“Just trying to make the most of the opportunities that I get and just working hard and creating as much as I can,” she said.
Hill — like many of the players at coach Tom Sermanni’s disposal — has been effective as a starter and as a super sub for the Pride. The club’s attack is crowded with the aforementioned big names, so players like Hill and Ubogagu have needed to take advantage of chances when they’re available.
She's appeared in nine of the Pride's (4-3-3, 15 points) matches so far. Last season, Hill had three goals in 14 appearances (eight starts) for the Pride.
“I mean, everyone likes to play as much as they can so obviously I’d prefer starting,” Hill said with a smile. “Whatever’s given to me, I’ll take it. Whether I come off the bench or get the start, either way, doesn’t matter. Whatever my role is, I’ll take it and I’ll do the best I can.”
Meanwhile, she’s learning from the all-time greats she has access to with the Pride.
“Obviously, it’s incredible to play with the names that we have,” Hill said. “I always look up to them and I’m always learning from them as much as I can. It’s good to compete with all of them. It kind motivates you a little extra, I guess.
“Since we’re professionals, I think that no matter where we are or what environment we’re in, who we’re with, we’re always going to try our best and work our hardest. It kind of makes you know you need to be on your A-game at all times because you have people like that." Player updates
The U.S. women's national team on Tuesday released a 24-player roster ahead of friendlies against China, and Orlando Pride forward Alex Morgan and goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris are once again part of coach Jill Ellis' squad.
Morgan wasn't at training Tuesday, but her absence from the club for personal reasons was excused. Both she and Harris — who was present for Tuesday's training session — will miss the Pride's Sunday match against Seattle Reign FC. Camp starts June 1. Defender Ali Krieger is still being evaluated by the club. She was subbed off for the first time in her Orlando Pride career in the 70th minute of Saturday's 5-2 win over the Chicago Red Stars.
Brazilian star Marta didn’t train on Tuesday, but was just resting. She was in attendance for the session but looked on instead of participating.
Centerback Mônica (right knee soreness) didn’t participate in Tuesday’s training session. She played in Saturday's match.
Canadian centerback Shelina Zadorsky was called up to the Canadian women’s national team, but she’s still available for Sunday’s match. She’s part of a 20-player roster for Canada’s June 10 match against Germany.
Defensive midfielder Toni Pressley participated in Tuesday’s training session. She’s missed the club’s last two games with a quad injury.