Women's soccer fans in Central Florida were rejoicing Wednesday, the day after the Orlando City Soccer Club announced its launch of the Orlando Pride, the National Women’s Soccer League's 10 franchise.
The NWSL team will begin play in 2016, the league's fourth season. Orlando City reminds fans it's the first iteration of a women’s pro soccer league in North America to reach that milestone.
The other NWSL franchises are Boston Breakers, Chicago Red Stars, Houston Dash, FC Kansas City, Portland Thorns FC, Seattle Reign FC, Sky Blue FC, Washington Spirit and the Western New York Flash.
"This is going to be so much fun," Mia Remarque of Kissimmee told Sunshine State News on Wednesday. "I took my twin daughters to Canada this summer to the (Women's) World Cup and we're all so hooked."
"It's just a thrill, that's the only way I can describe it," said Lana Traylor, who plays high school soccer in Orlando. "My parents are giving me a season ticket for my birthday."
Orlando City President Phil Rawlins said in his announcement, "We've proven this marketplace is thirsty for soccer. It’s the soccer capitol of the South and those are not just hollow words or a statement anymore, they’re proven with facts and data and economic impact behind them. So it’s the right time.”
The club unveiled a new logo and named its first coach, former U.S. Women’s National Team Coach Tom Sermanni. Sermanni has also coached the Australian women’s national team and was an assistant coach for Canada during this summer’s Women’s World Cup.
Rawlins told the Orlando Sentinel the Pride wants to sign stars from the U.S. national team, but that process will take another couple of weeks. Fans are hoping forward Alex Morgan, a U.S. national team star will sign -- joining her husband, Servando Carrasco, who already plays for the Orlando City Purple Reign -- and goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris, a native of Satellite Beach.
Morgan plays for the Portland Thorns, Harris for the Washington Spirit.
"I've seen Alex hanging out here," 18-year-old Orlando native Jill Martine told SSN. "I think it would be so awesome to get her."
The Pride will play 10 games in the Citrus Bowl in 2016, then move to Orlando City's new stadium in 2017. Season tickets will go on sale to the general public at 1 p.m. Sunday at Orlando-Pride.com.
Reach Nancy Smith at nsmith@sunshinestatenews.com or at 228-282-2423. Twitter: @NancyLBSmith
