By Paul Nicholson
October 22 – The National Womens’s Soccer League (NWSL) in the US has awarded a new franchise to Orlando Pride, owned and operated by Orlando City, itself a new franchise this season in the MLS.
The Orlando Pride is the second expansion team in the fledgling league, taking the number of teams to ten. The Pride will start playing in the 2016 season at the Orlando Citrus Bowl and will eventually move to the Club’s new downtown stadium when construction is completed.
NWSL Commissioner Jeff Plush said: “We are very excited to welcome the Orlando Pride as the second expansion club in the history of the National Women’s Soccer League. Orlando is a remarkable organisation with an authentic club culture and a community that will help us continue to grow the league and provide more opportunities for female soccer players at the highest level.
“As we continue to build the overall fan base, we are thrilled to have a club in the Southeast to provide fans in the region with the opportunity to see and interact with our amazing players. We have no doubt Orlando will be a tremendous addition to the NWSL.”
Orlando has rapidly become a hub for professional football in the US with its MLS franchise playing to full stadiums and a USL franchise launching in the city next year as well as the NWSL team.
Founder and president Phil Rawlins said: “The time is right for women’s professional soccer here in Central Florida, and we are excited to launch this new team for 2016. We want to win championships and build one of the best women’s teams in world soccer.”
“With the successful launch of the MLS team, as well as the 2016 launch of the NWSL and USL teams, this region continues to reap the economic benefit of world class professional soccer.”
Orlando has named former head coach of the Australian and US Women’s National Teams, Tom Sermanni, as head coach of the Pride. The team roster for the Pride will be boosted using Discovery Signings (domestic and international), the Expansion Draft and 2016 NWSL College Draft where it will have first pick.
US national team star and 2015 World Cup winner Alex Morgan is expected to be the club’s firs big name signing from Portland.
Orlando will join the 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.
The NWSL is now in its third season having been formed after the closure of Women’s Professional Soccer league in 2012. It is supported by the United States Soccer Federation, Canadian Soccer Association and Federation of Mexican Football.
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