Tag Archives: Orlando Pride

Marta Among Finalists for National Women’s Soccer League’s MVP Award

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Marta is in the running for the National Women’s Soccer League’s top individual prize.

The 38-year-old Brazilian soccer star headlines a group of five finalists for the NWSL’s MVP award.

MartaMarta, who turns 39 in February, enjoyed her best year as a pro since joining the Orlando Pride in 2017. She registered nine goals and an assist this year.

Marta will face off against her Pride colleague Barbra Banda, Kansas City Current forward Temwa Chawinga, Washington Spirit forward Trinity Rodman and Portland Thorns forward Sophia Smith for the MVP award.

Banda and Chawinga, who are both in their first year in the league, were locked into a heated race for the Golden Boot throughout most of the season until Chawinga went on a record scoring run after the Olympics, scoring in seven of eight games. Banda finished the regular season with 13 goals.

Eighteen of the 24 finalists for awards are from the top four teams in the league, mirroring a season in which all four top seeds advanced to the semifinals this past weekend, and fourth and fifth place were separated by 16 points in the regular season.

The Orlando Pride lead all teams with seven nominations across the six awards.

Marta is also nominated for the newly created Midfielder of the Year award against North Carolina’s Ashley Sanchez, among others.

Orlando head coach Seb Hines is the favorite to win Coach of the Year after the Pride set a new points record (60) while going unbeaten through the first 23 games of the season and winning the Shield.

Washington Spirit midfielder Croix Bethune leads the Rookie of the Year chase after tying Tobin Heath‘s single-season assist record. Bethune registered 10 assists before sustaining a season-ending meniscus tear while throwing out a first pitch a Washington Nationals game. She was participating in the ceremony after earning an Olympic gold medal with the USWNT.

The final round of voting uses a weighted scale of players (40%), owners/GMs/coaches (25%), media (25%) and fans (10%).

2024 NWSL awards finalists

Most Valuable Player: Barbra Banda (ORL), Temwa Chawinga (KC), Marta (ORL), Trinity Rodman (WAS), Sophia Smith (POR)

Defender of the Year: Naomi Girma (SD), Kaleigh Kurtz (NC), Tara McKeown (WAS), Emily Sams (ORL), Kylie Strom (ORL)

Goalkeeper of the Year: Ann-Katrin Berger (GFC), Mandy Haught (UTA), Anna Moorhouse (ORL)

Midfielder of the Year: Croix Bethune (WAS), Vanessa DiBernardo (KC), Lo’eau LaBonta (KC), Marta (ORL), Ashley Sanchez (NC)

Rookie of the Year: Croix Bethune (WAS), Claire Hutton (KC), Ally Sentnor (UTA)

Coach of the Year: Juan Carlos Amorós (GFC), Vlatko Andonovski (KC), Seb Hines (ORL)

Marta Named to Brazil’s Women’s Soccer Team for 6th Olympic Games

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Marta is bracing for her final Olympic bow…

The 38-year-old Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a forward for the Orlando Pride in the National Women’s Soccer League has been named to Brazil‘s women’s soccer team for the 2024 Paris Games by coach Arthur Elias.

MartaMarta, widely considered one of the best women’s players in history, had previously said she intends to retire from the national team after playing in the Olympics for the sixth time.

The Orlando Pride forward has two silver medals after Brazil lost to the United States in the final of both the 2004 and 2008 tournaments, but has never won gold.

In 2021 in Tokyo, Marta became the first player to score in five consecutive Olympics.

“She brings a lot to the table, she’s the greatest athlete of all time,” Elias said of Marta. “She’s playing well, she deserved to be on this list.

“Marta’s performance, especially after she came back to play for her club, which is fighting for the top spot in the U.S., her behavior, with or without the ball, makes all the athletes see her as an example.

“I have the challenge of finding a way of playing to maximize her game. But she knows that you can only win with everyone.”

Elias said at a news conference that he wanted a mix of experience and young talents, with an eye toward the future. Brazil will host the 2027 edition of the Women’s World Cup.

Half of the players in the Olympic team also played for Brazil at last year’s World Cup under Elias’ predecessor, Pia Sundhage. Other veterans, such as strikers Debinha and Cristiane, did not make the final list.

Brazil is in Group C of the Olympic tournament. Its first match will be on July 25 against Nigeria in Bordeaux. Japan and World Cup champion Spain are also in the group.

Brazil’s Marta to Compete in Her Sixth Women’s World Cup

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Make that six for Marta…

The 37-year-old Brazilian professional footballer, a forward for the Orlando Pride in the National Women’s Soccer League, will compete at her sixth Women’s World Cup after being named to Pia Sundhage‘s squad for the tournament starting on July 20 in Australia and New Zealand.

MartaThe six-time FIFA World player of the year will lead Brazil’s quest for a first world title alongside other experienced players like Debinha, Tamires and Andressa Alves.

However, the former United States and Sweden coach does not guarantee that the all-time Women’s World Cup top scorer will feature in the starting lineup.

“Marta is the queen, she is an icon. Just being around her is contagious,” said Sundhage.

“If she will be in the starting lineup I don’t know, not yet. She will play the role I will give her and I am sure she will do well.”

Brazil, who began a training camp this week, face Chile in a farewell friendly on Sunday before travelling to Australia, where its first game is against Panama on July 24 in Adelaide.

Full Brazil Squad:

Goalkeepers: Leticia Izidoro (Corinthians), Camila (Santos), Barbara (Flamengo).

Defenders: Rafaelle (Arsenal), Bruninha (Gotham FC), Kathellen (Real Madrid), Antonia (Levante), Tamires (Corinthians), Lauren, Monica (both Madrid CFF).

Midfielders: Adriana (Orlando Pride), Ary Borges (Racing Louisville), Kerolin (North Carolina Courage), Ana Vitória (Benfica), Duda Sampaio, Luana (both Corinthians).

Forwards: Debinha (Kansas City Current), Andressa Alves (Roma), Nycole (Benfica), Gabi Nunes (Madrid CFF), Geyse (Barcelona), Bia Zaneratto (Palmeiras), Marta (Orlando Pride).