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Kristen Edmonds
Home Nation: USA
Age: 28
Height: 5'5''
Club: Orlando Pride
Position: Midfielder
The Curious Case of Kristen Edmonds

How the explosive member of the Orlando Pride has gone from relative anonymity to breakout star in the NWSL

 

American superstar Tobin Heath usually does the nutmegging. In the 11th minute of the Portland Thorns' home opener against expansion side Orlando Pride, however, Kristen Edmonds was able to cut the ball back through Heath's legs, earning a free kick just outside the box. That free kick turned out to be a pretty historic one, as Steph Catley found the back of the net on the restart. It was the first goal in Orlando Pride history.

 

This season the direct play and tireless effort that Edmonds has displayed thus far has made her time in Orlando a remarkable one. And that is what makes it so hard to believe that less than nine months ago 

 

Edmonds was not a full-time starter for the Western NY Flash; a team that finished in the bottom half of the 2015 NWSL table. Now, not only is Edmonds a starter, she is vital to the success of an Orlando Pride squad full of top flight internationals.

 

So, just who is Kristen Edmonds? And How has she gone unnoticed for so long?

 

Before beginning her pro career, Edmonds played college soccer at Rutgers University. A New Jersey native, Edmonds says she chose Rutgers because it was not a collegiate powerhouse. “The reason why I decided to go there was because I wanted to go somewhere up-and-coming...and somewhere that I could improve while I was playing.” And help create a powerhouse she did, as Rutgers made the quarterfinals during her tenure, and landed in the semifinals during the 2015 NCAA season. Of her legacy at Rutgers, University of Florida Women's Soccer Head Coach Becky Burleigh recently sung her praises. During the Orlando Pride live broadcast on April 23, Burleigh said Edmonds could “go down in Rutgers history as one of the best 1v1 attackers...Edmonds just runs at people and breaks defenders down.”

 

 

After graduating from Rutgers, Edmonds bounced around between the WPS, Iceland, and Russia- never fully reaching the standout status she enjoyed in New Jersey. (That is not to say Edmonds did not have the incredible experience of playing Champions league football, her Russian side making it to the quarterfinals)

 

 

 

COACH SERMANNI PRAISES EDMONDS AT THE ORLANDO PRIDE MEDIA DAY

 

Prior to the begining of the season, there was a growing sense that Edmonds was going to be special. At the Orlando Pride media day, Head Coach Tom Sermanni was pressed by members of the media to name a player that really stood out to him during preseason. 

 

"I've really been impressed by Kristen Edwards," Sermanni said, noting his admittedly low expectations.  “Kristen was brought in as part of the Becky Edwards trade,” he said “I did not see Kristen being very high on the totem pole...now she is fighting for a space in the Starting XI.”

 

As we know now, Edmonds has started both games for the Orlando Pride, and has been a standout player in each. Edmonds is a speedy, high energy player that suits the Orlando Pride's high tempo strategy well. Even more importantly, Edmonds has found a home and level of comfort in Orlando. 

 

"The girls are great and the coaches give me confidence to play," Edmonds happily revealed. "I just love it here. I want to come in and play soccer every day. The environment is unreal."

 

We will never know why Western New York did not better utilize Edmonds during her time with the club. To the fans of Orlando Pride, they are thankful to have her tenacity, pace, and positive attitude.  

 

So, just who is Kristen Edmonds? The answer is simple:

 

Edmonds is the best 1v1 direct attacker in the history of Rutgers Women's Soccer, a tenured professional, a Champions League Quarterfinalist, and a breakout star for a 2016 Orlando Pride team that is already turning heads.

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