ORLANDO, Fla. (January 19, 2017) – Orlando Pride added another top international talent today, acquiring Australia Women’s National Team defender Alanna Kennedy in a trade with the recently relocated North Carolina Courage. In exchange, the Courage, formerly the Western New York Flash, received midfielder Sam Witteman.
“Firstly, Sam has been a fantastic player and a great teammate with wonderful character. She will be missed both on and off the field and we are very sad to see her leave the Club. We wish her the best of luck in North Carolina,” Pride Head Coach Tom Sermanni said. “However, in bringing in Alanna we have acquired one of the best center backs in the league and a high-quality, international player. Though she’s just 21, Alanna has extensive experience with Australia and she will be a terrific addition that both strengthens and adds experience to our lineup next season.”
Kennedy joins the Pride after a debut NWSL season with the Flash where she led the franchise to its first league title. Kennedy featured in 15 regular season matches for WNY, all of them starts, only missing time due to the 2016 Rio Olympics. Playing at both center back and holding midfield, the Australian recorded one assist on the year.
The defender’s professional career began at age 16, when she led Sydney FC to the Westfield W-League regular season title and an appearance in the 2011 championship match. In total, Kennedy has reached the Grand Final four different times, including second-place finishes with Sydney (2011, 2016) and Perth (2014), and a championship with Sydney in 2013.
Kennedy earned her first appearance with the Australia WNT in 2012 and was a member of both the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup and 2016 Rio Olympic rosters. With nearly 50 caps for the Matildas, Kennedy has become a stalwart on the backline and has also scored two goals while representing her country.
Kennedy is currently on loan with Sydney FC, who sit atop the W-League with two matches remaining in the regular season.
2017 season tickets are now on sale at orlando-pride.com/tickets or by calling (855) ORL-CITY. The Pride will open its second NWSL season in Club’s 25,500 seat stadium in the heart of downtown Orlando. 2-for-1 packages are also on sale, including a ticket to the 2017 home opener, and can be purchased at the link here.
Alanna Kennedy
Position: Defender
Height: 5-9
Born: January 21, 1995
Hometown: Campbelltown, Australia
Citizenship: Australia
College: n/a
Acquired: via trade with North Carolina Courage on January 19, 2017
