Leaders of the Pack
The Orlando Pride will be led by a brand new coaching staff for the 2022 season, with former collegiate stalwart Amanda Cromwell appointed as the team’s third head coach. Cromwell joins after a decorated 25-year career, bringing three additional coaches into the fold. Joining Cromwell are Sam Greene as First Assistant, her former right hand at UCLA, USWNT legend Michelle Akers as a player development coach and Brazil national team keeper Aline Reis as the goalkeeper coach. Seb Hines also remains on staff as an Assistant Coach.
Marta Gets the ‘Band
Ahead of the upcoming campaign, Brazilian legend Marta has been tabbed as the third captain in Orlando Pride history. Marta, who joined the Pride in 2017, was honored with the armband by Cromwell, assuming the captaincy following the departure of Ashlyn Harris. Alex Morgan was the first-ever captain in Pride history, given the nod in the Club’s inaugural season.
Welcome to the Club
It’s no secret that the offseason was a busy one for General Manager Ian Fleming and Cromwell. With the team’s first competitive match this weekend, fans will get the opportunity to see a number of new faces. Of the 26-player roster, the Pride feature 10 newcomers in addition to their 16 returners. The first-time Pride players are: Kerry Abello, Celia, Mikayla Cluff, Caitlin Cosme, Julie Doyle, Angharad James, Darian Jenkins, Megan Montefusco, Anna Moorhouse and Leah Pruitt.
Toni the OG
Entering the 2022 NWSL season, Toni Pressley remains the only roster member that has played for Orlando since its inaugural season in 2016. Pressley was selected No. 8 overall in the 2015 NWSL Expansion Draft, taken from the Houston Dash. Pressley has since made 72 total appearances across all competitions for the Pride, scoring three goals and adding two assists throughout her career in purple.
Age is Just a Number
With a number of moves over the offseason, the Orlando Pride has gotten a bit younger on the field. In 2021, on the day of the team’s Challenge Cup opener, the Pride roster held an average age of 28 years, five months and seven days. Now, with an added calendar year, the Pride have decreased their average age by an additional year, now boasting an average age of 27 years, five months and seven days.
Upcoming Milestones & Notes
- Midfielder Meggie Dougherty Howard enters Saturday’s match with 99 total matches played across all competitions.
- Midfielder Erika Tymrak sits just three appearances away from 150 across all competitions.
- Forward Marta is three goals away from 30 in her Orlando Pride career.
- Marta has scored a total of eight goals against the Spirit, the most by any player against an individual opponent in Club history.
- 14 different Pride players have never played in the Challenge Cup, with the opportunity to make their debuts this season.
