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The Orlando Pride just made one of the biggest NWSL moves of all time, and certainly in club history. The second-year expansion club announced on Friday that they have signed Brazilian Women's National Team superstar, and current captain, Marta Vieira da Silva (Brazilian footballers typically go by one name, hence why she is called "Marta") to a two-year contract. Marta's contract also has an option for a third season, and is off a free transfer from her current club FC Rosengård (in Sweden). The move is a powerhouse move for the Orlando Pride, who are affiliated with Orlando City SC of the MLS. Business members of Orlando City SC's club spoke about the transaction. "We are incredibly proud to bring Marta to Orlando, and I am personally very excited as I have been a fan of her for many years,” Orlando City SC CEO Alex Leitão said. “Our technical team worked hard to add the best, most accomplished women’s soccer player in the world to the roster. We started the Pride to win, and bringing Marta to Orlando is a testament to our belief in this team, our supporters and the passion for soccer in Central Florida." “Marta’s resume speaks for itself. She is not only the best player in the world, she is a player that fills one of our biggest needs on the field,” Orlando City SC General Manager Niki Budalic said. “Our goal this offseason was to evaluate our first year’s performance and give the Pride the best tools for success in 2017 and forward. With the addition of Marta, as well as fellow veterans Ali Krieger, Ashlyn Harris and Alex Morgan, among others, we are building a strong, exciting lineup for years to come.” Budalic is absoultely right; the Brazilian superstar has a resume that makes fans stare in awe when she takes the pitch. Marta is a five-time FIFA Women's World Player of the Year recipient, which all came from 2006-10. In addition, her international work has her with 101 appearances for the Brazilian Women's National Team, since 2002. Marta currently holds 105 goals to her name. At the club level, Marta has played in the United States, Sweden and her native Brazil. In competitive matches, Marta has racked up a total of 321 appearances where she has scored 358 goals. Marta will bring her Brazilian style of football, as well as goal-scoring prowess, to a team in desperate need of an attack game. The Pride have loaned out forward, and United States Women's National Team star, Alex Morgan to French club Olympique Lyonnais. While the Pride have Christina Burkenroad, Jamia Fields, Jasmyne Spencer and Chioma Ubogagu, they aren't big names like Morgan. Also, their resumes aren't as impressive as Marta's. Now that the Pride have finalized the final aspect of their team that needed the most attention- the forward position- the Pride are a real threat to opposing NWSL clubs. The club also acquired defender Ali Krieger, another USWNT player, in the offseason to help bolster the defense, and now with the addition of Marta, the club, on paper, looks to be unstoppable. The Pride will put their stacked team to the test on April 15 when the NWSL season kicks off. The Pride will travel to the West Coast to face the Portland Thorns, who are equally equipped with talent. The match will air on Lifetime TV, with coverage beginning at 2:30 p.m. ET.
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20-year-old football enthusiast living in the United States. I try to get Americans to say "football" and not "soccer." Archives
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