Amidst the opening of the 2018 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) preseason, nine Orlando Pride players will be representing their respective national teams over the coming weeks.
Four Orlando Pride players have received national team call-ups for the 2018 Algarve Cup, the 25th edition of the annual women’s soccer tournament based in Portugal. 2018 NWSL College Draft pick Nádia Gomes will represent the host country, while defender Alanna Kennedy and midfielder Emily van Egmond will represent for Australia and defender Shelina Zadorsky for Canada.
The call-up marks the first time Gomes, 21, has received a senior team call for Portugal. She previously represented her country during the UEFA U-19 Women’s Championship, where she scored two goals in eight appearances. Gomes was selected No. 23 overall in the 2018 National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) College Draft from Brigham Young University.
The tournament is scheduled to take place from Feb. 28 to March 7 in various locations across Portugal. The 12 teams included in the tournament will participate in a round-robin group stage to determine ranking for placement matches.
Alex Morgan and Ashlyn Harris will remain with the U.S. national team, training for the SheBelieves Cup that will take place from March 1-7 in New Jersey and Ohio before culminating at Orlando City Stadium. March 7 matches in Orlando start with No. 2 Germany vs. No. 6 France at 4 p.m., followed by the No. 1 ranked U.S. WNT vs. No. 3 England at 7 p.m. Tickets, which include a seat for both matches, are available here.
Marta Vieira da Silva and Monica Hickmann Alves will travel to Brazil, joining newly acquired defender Poliana in a two-week training camp with the Brazilian national team.
With the exception of van Egmond and Kennedy, all Pride players will return to Orlando in time for the team’s home opener on Saturday, March 24, at Orlando City Stadium, hosting the league’s newest team, Utah Royals FC, at 7:30 p.m. ET.
The Pride’s Australian duo with remain with the Matildas through the end of April, preparing for and competing in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup, Australia’s qualifying tournament for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The top five teams will secure a bid to next year’s world competition in France.
