Sophomores ready for more
Young Pride players eager to help their club
Looking year, midfielder Dani Weatherholt and forward Christina Burkenroad were learning everything from scratch.
They joined a new expansion team that had never played together during their rookie seasons, working to prove their worth during their first year as professional athletes.
Weatherholt and Burkenroad said they embraced the challenge and everyone has come to accept the Pride’s first year was all about building for the future. Thanks to work they put in during the offseason, they have some clarity going into the 2017 National Women’s Soccer League season.
Weatherholt spent 10 days of her offseason in Granada, Nicaragua, where she was part of a soccer clinic run by Soccer Without Borders. Originally introduced to the organization by teammate Maddy Evans, Weatherholt said the cultural exchange was inspiring and a special part of her offseason.
“Essentially, there was about 17 of us, volunteers, and we ran a girls-specific soccer camp in Granada,” Weatherholt said. “It’s so inspiring to see how the game connects so many people from all over the world, no matter how old they are.
“It’s beautiful to see how soccer breaks down those barriers between people. It’s very humbling to see how much they love the game. The ball can be so flat and they don’t care, and here we are with perfect pumped-up balls. … It really shows you what to be grateful for. … They’re really the inspiring ones.”
It was Weatherholt’s first visit to the Central American country. She said she took the trip to give back to the game that’s given her so much.
The San Clemente, Calif., native made 12 appearances for the Pride last year. She said her January trip to Nicaragua mentally prepared her for the upcoming season.
“… My overall gratitude for everything in life, every time I step on the field, I’m so grateful to be in this position… to make an impact, to give back to the game that’s given me so much,” Weatherholt said.
“Especially coming from last year, we were so disappointed on how everything ended that it’s just such a motivating factor going into preseason.”
While Weatherholt’s offseason was highlighted by her trip to Granada, Burkenroad’s offseason was marked by a homecoming and an opportunity to prepare for her sophomore year with Orlando.
“I trained with a lot of men. I played in a lot of men’s leagues and trained with ex-college guys that really helped me with strength, quickness and fitness,” Burkenroad said. “That was a huge push that got me mentally ready.”
Burkenroad only played in seven games for the Pride during her rookie year in 2016. So while she spent the offseason back in San Diego, her focus was on returning to Central Florida ready to play at a high level.
“I definitely missed home. … It’s hard not to miss southern California, the weather and my family and friends,” she said. “But I’m living my dream here, and I’m in a place where I know I’m taken care of.”
With preseason camp in full swing, both players agreed the team has the capability to make the NWSL playoffs this year, but they also emphasized they have much to prove.
The young players and young club are eager to do more.
When Burkenroad was asked what her goals were in 2017, she said, “I want to be a key player, but grow as a player at the same time.”