(Above) While the Pride is one of only three professional women’s sports teams in Florida, it isn’t the last. With Orlando Pride, the USSSA Pride, Florida’s professional softball team, has inspired young women in the state to pursue their athletic careers after their establishment in 2009. This is seen by the addition of the Orlando Valkyries, a professional volleyball team, that started their first season in January. Similarly, the United Soccer League is starting the first season of their Division I Super League (USLS) this coming August, with two Florida soccer teams joining—Fort Lauderdale United FC and Tampa Bay Sun FC—and teams from Jacksonville and Palm Beach joining USLS in 2025.
While Florida’s love for theme parks is unbelievable, so are its passions for the sports industry. In fact, Sports Business Journal, ranked Orlando number one for, “Best Sports Bussiness Cities” and “Event Hosting.” From teams such as the Orlando Magic, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Jacksonville Jaguars to the Tampa Bay Lightning, Miami Heat, and Miami Marlins, Florida is home to multiple teams in all four major sports leagues. Florida also has two current professional soccer teams in the men’s league, including Orlando City SC, which is based in Central Florida. However, the city also has a professional women’s soccer team: the Orlando Pride. The women’s team was founded in October 2015 and went on to rank third place in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) in 2017. Since then, it has signed players from all over the globe including world-famous Brazilian soccer player, Marta Vieira da Silva, the team’s current captain. The current season began in March 2024 and will continue until November 2024, with the Pride playing 26 total games, 13 of which are at home. So with the women’s league inspiring girls all over the country, and the team doing so here in Orlando, here is a look into what these women are most passionate about.
(Above) While it has been a while since the Pride have made higher ranks, this season looks promising for them. Part of this success is due to head coach, Seb Hines. Originally playing for England, Hines came to join Orlando City in 2015. He retired from playing in 2017 and joined the coaching staff, and by November 2022, Hines was named head coach of the Orlando Pride. Since then, the Pride’s success has only gone up, with the team currently ranking fifth out of 14 total teams in the NWSL. So far, the Pride have secured three draws during the first few games, and two wins the last few. Furthermore, they have only conceded four goals, making them the second best defense in the league. (Minaal Arain)(Above) Often regarded as the greatest female soccer player due to her success in Brazil, team captain and forward Marta Vieira da Silva (near left) has been essential to the team. In addition to Marta, so far only forward Summer Yates has scored this season. Playing for the U.S. national team in her teens, and having played multiple positions, defender Kerry Abello has assisted with the difficult goals by Marta and Yates. Forward Barbra Banda also made news this season as she became the second most expensive player after signing with the Pride for $740,000 thanks to a successful career across the world. Midfielder and two-time FIFAWomen’s World Cup champion Morgan Gautrat also signed with the team this year. (Minaal Arain)(Above) Orlando Pride is leaving white shorts behind and returning them for purple. The team reported, that they wanted players to feel “comfortable and confident” making it more practical for the female team to play the sport they all love. (Minaal Arain)(Above) As of September 13, Orlando Pride has upcoming games until October 20. Supporting the Orlando Pride is a great way to interact with the community. On top of that Orlando Pride tickets are very affordable and a great way to spend time throughout the week. (Minaal Arain)(Above) The Inter & Co. Stadium opened in March 2017 and is located in Downtown Orlando. As the stadium is shared by Orlando City SC and the Orlando Pride, decor celebrating each team is switched out depending on who is scheduled to play. Inter & Co. was built specifically with soccer in mind and has hosted many events including the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games Opening Ceremony. (Minaal Arain)(Above) After the team was founded in 2015, founder and president Phil Rawlins said that their name, “Captures how [they] all feel about the city of Orlando,” as well as forms a connection with the “lions” of Orlando City SC. One of the team’s colors is purple, alluding to Orlando City. They also include blue in the team colors to serve as another reference to Lake Eola and other waterways in Central Florida. (Minaal Arain)(Above) Orlando Pride is known for its amazing talent and more importantly its teamwork, not just on the field. The community that comes to support, is an irreplaceable part of the Orlando Pride team. An essential piece to ensuring the crowd is at its best is the mascot, Pridezilla. Pridezilla is a lioness and is always there to support the team at games and community events. (Minaal Arain)(Above) As the men’s and women’s teams go on the field before the game, they run through a tunnel that has messages painted by fans. Before the season begins, the tunnel is open to the public to display their support for both teams on the right side of the wall and discourage the opposing team on the left. On game nights, purple lights brighten the messages as players prepare for a game. (Minaal Arain)
Minaal Arain started writing for Lake Highland Preparatory School’s newspaper, Twice-Told Tale her Junior year of high school and now is the Co-Editor of the publication, as well as the Director of Photography of the school's literary magazine, By Any Other Name. Aside from writing on various subjects, she enjoys working on her photography, listening to music, reading, and spending time outdoors. Some of her favorite activities include football, swimming, and weight training. Minaal's favorite moments are with her friends and family. In the future, she wants to go into photojournalism and law, continuing to express her passion for photography and revealing the truth.
Delaney Bolstein is the Editor-in-Chief of Lake Highland Preparatory School's Upper School newspaper Twice-Told Tale. She is a Senior at Lake Highland and has been at the school since Pre-K. Delaney has also been a member of the cross-country and track team since Sophomore year. Additionally, Delaney volunteers at the Winter Park Public Library. In her free time, Delaney can be found watching Zach Stone is Gonna Be Famous and translating French novels.
