As the Pride approach the halfway mark of the NWSL season, it’s important to take a moment and reflect on what they have accomplished so far this season.
That narrative inevitably involves Brazilian superstar Marta, who the team brought in at the start of the season. In last week’s match against the Houston Dash, Marta had an effect on each of the four goals-- scoring two of her own and earning assists on the other two. Despite missing the first game for the Pride, and coming in as a late substitute in their home opener, Marta is tied for the league lead in goals with five in eight matches. She sits in second place for the most assists on the season with three.
Marta’s recent success also came off of time with her national team. Brazil travelled to Europe for friendlies against Spain and Iceland, and Marta played 90 minutes in both matches. She scored the game winning goal in the match against Iceland and earned an assist on the first goal in the game against Spain. Logic would dictate that Marta might be exhausted after such a trip, but Marta never seems to slow down. She came right back to work in Orlando and contributed massively to a Pride victory on the road.
Marta hasn’t simply achieved success for herself. She’s created opportunities for her teammates, helping to bring out the talent in players like Camila, who has three goals and three assists on the year. She serves as a leader for the team, especially in the absence of team captain Ashlyn Harris. Her selfless play ensures that her entire team is playing at their best and winning games.
The Pride currently sit in 6th place in the league, two slots away from the playoffs. They are 4th in the NWSL Power Rankings, and rising. Marta has said in the past that she wants to bring a championship to this city, and that possibility is becoming more and more realistic as the season moves forward.
The second half of the season can only bring big and better things. Players are getting better, team chemistry is growing. And who knows what will happen when Alex Morgan and Marta take the pitch together for the first time since 2011? Hint: In 2011, they won the league title.
One thing is certain: Marta is on fire. And she isn’t showing any signs of slowing down.
