As the Orlando Pride players gear up for their first match in Orlando City Stadium, some players explained what makes this organization special. For them, playing soccer in Orlando isn’t something they take for granted-- it’s something they cherish.
“This entire organization is special,” Jasmyne Spencer said. “And the 20+ girls that are part of the Pride are all special, and that’s from the staff, from the community, the fans, top to bottom, everyone that’s part of Orlando Pride in general makes it special.”
When asked to elaborate, Spencer struggled.
“Honestly, I can’t even explain it,” Spencer said. “You can feel the energy. You can walk around town and you can feel the energy. It’s unlike any other team that I’ve played for in this league before.”
For a lot of the Pride, it’s the fans that make playing soccer in this city so special. Many of the Pride players came out to the Orlando City home opener against New York City FC. For them, walking in with the supporters’ groups and seeing the purple smoke waft through the stadium was unlike anything they had experienced.
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“It was really special,” Dani Weatherholt said. “We all got to watch the men’s game, so seeing the purple smoke come in and people score. That was really exciting.”
“A handful of us walked in with our supporters group for the men’s game,” Jasmyne Spencer said. “We have a diehard supporters group that is gonna fight for you for 90, 120 minutes, however long the game is going, before the gameday, after the gameday, they’re there for you and they build you up. And that’s really what makes this club special.”
For team captain Ashlyn Harris, what makes this organization special is also its commitment and respect for the women’s game. Orlando City Soccer truly values equality, and that’s something that makes every Pride player feel valued.
“You can see what this club is doing and the movement we’ve been making on the offseason. They’re committed to putting as much money, effort, time into the women’s team as the men. And that’s pretty special. And you definitely don’t get that everywhere in the world,” Harris said. “So, I’m grateful that the club is taking the women’s team very serious. And that’s for men and women. And that’s the standard. And that’s why I love being here.”
The Pride are aiming to sell out Orlando City Stadium for their home opener and #FillTheBowl, just as the Lions did in their season opener in early March. They’ll play on Saturday, April 22nd against the Washington Spirit at 4:00pm. For tickets to the match, click here.
