Orlando Pride more settled entering second year of preseason training – Orlando Sentinel

Year one was all about figuring things out.

The Orlando Pride needed to build an expansion roster, survive top players leaving for the Olympics, adapt to regularly shifting training grounds and handle all the other logistical challenges that go with launching a top-tier professional soccer team.

Preparation for year two began Monday, the first day of Orlando training ahead of the 2017 National Womans Soccer League season, and Pride head coach Tom Sermanni said the team is more stable.

Last year was difficult for everybody, Sermanni said to a herd of reporters gathered around after training. We ended up training at Sanford Airport [area,] training other places. This year, generally, were far more settled than we were. The staff is much more experienced at working together, much more comfortable together, were able to sort of plan things better.

So, generally I think everybody just feels a lot more settled.

The players were ready, too. Sermanni said the first day of training had a good tempo and the players came in more fit and ready to play compared to last year. The main goal on the first day is to observe players, get a base line on their fitness and evaluate new additions.

The Pride lost Alex Morgan to French side Olympique Lyonnais until July, but they signed U.S. womens national team defender Ali Krieger. Other new signees include striker Chioma Ubogagu and defender Camila Pereira. The club also brought in former University of Colorado striker Danica Evans and Penn State midfielder Nickolette Driesse through the college draft. Multiple trialists also joined training Monday, including former Ball State defender Lorina White, midfielder Jocelyn Blankenship and UCF grad Carol Rodrigues, who led the Knights with 12 goals last year.

The Pride expect to add one more player to the roster before opening the season April 15 in Portland. They have an international roster spot open after waiving Australian defender Lisa De Vanna last week.

I would love to get that filled as soon as possible with the right player, and if that comes together that would be a fantastic result for us, Sermanni said, alluding to rampant rumors the Pride are in talks with Brazilian star Marta.

Among the big names returning for the Prides sophomore season are goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris, Australian national team members Steph Catley and Laura Alleway and Brazilian international Monica.

Kristen Edmonds is another after a breakout 2016 season. She gained attention as a versatile talent who played in every area of the field and led the team with six goals. The Pride finished second to last in the league with a 6-13-1 record, but Edmonds performance earned her two call-ups to U.S. womens national team camps during the offseason.

She wore a wide grin as she stepped in front of a backdrop decorated with the Prides logo on Monday.

It was a good first day, Edmonds said. It was a bit hectic, but I think everybody is just so excited that were finally back into everything and its going to start flowing pretty quickly.

Our honeymoon stage is over and everybody knows that. We want to win now and wins matter the most. Nobody is looking at us as the new team in the league anymore. We have a point to prove and everybody knows that.

ardelgallo@orlandosentinel.com

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Orlando Pride more settled entering second year of preseason training - Orlando Sentinel