It’s Jasmyne Spencer’s second year with the Orlando Pride, and while the season is young, she is already taking her game to a new level.
Last season, Spencer finished the season with four goals and no assists. Only seven games into the season, she already has two goals and an assist on the year so far. So, what has changed between year one and year two?
“We’re probably fortunate in the sense that the forward players we have or the strikers we have are all fairly flexible as to whether they play in the middle or they play wide, and that gives us good flexibility,” Head Coach Tom Sermanni said after training this week. “I think the difference that is probably a great benefit for [Spencer] is that we are creating more chances and that gives her more opportunities in or around danger areas.”
Players like Marta, Camila, and Chioma Ubogagu contribute to creating those chances. But Sermanni has also seen a difference in Spencer as individual and her ability to not only disrupt defenses, but capitalize on it.
“I think the great thing about the goals she’s scored this year has been her composure to put those finishes away,” Sermanni said. “I think her two finishes this year have shown really quality and real composure.”
While Spencer’s skills are developing, her approach to the game is the same as always. Spencer is looking to contribute to her team in the best way possible, and as a forward player, that means finding the back of the net and helping the team get results. As she moves ahead with the team, it’s all about taking that next step.
“She’s always going to be a player that causes mayhem in opposition defenses, and it's about adding that finishing touch to it. And what we’ve seen so far are two really quality finishes,” Sermanni said. “So if she can do the same things she’s been doing, with her dynamic way of approaching the game, her pace, and causing problems then that’s the next step up.”
“I focused a lot on being more productive. So far so good, but I’ve got a lot to do still,” Spencer said this week. “We need to accumulate more points so I have to get the job done. I’m just going to keep bringing high energy, my aggressiveness, and try to be as ruthless as I can in the box.”
