Orlando Pride Midfielder Becky Edwards Announces Retirement
Orlando Pride midfielder Becky Edwards has announced her retirement from professional soccer. Edwards, a veteran of the women’s game, will suit up her final match on Saturday, Sept. 24 when the Pride host FC Kansas City at Camping World Stadium.
A veteran midfielder of both the NWSL and Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS), Edwards turned professional after standout careers on U.S. Youth National Teams and at Florida State University.
“It’s been seven years playing professionally and, in my heart, it feels right. I’ve had a good career and I think I’ve given it my all in every environment I’ve been in. For me, personally, it feels like it’s time for something else. I feel satisfied,” Edwards said. “I’ve played with some of the best players in the world; I’ve won championships. It just feels like it’s time. Being here in Orlando has been incredible; the organization has been awesome. Now, I’m looking forward to the next chapter of my life.”
“Becky has been a distinguished player in women’s soccer; she had an exceptional college career at FSU, one of the most prestigious programs in the US, and an outstanding professional career in the US and overseas. She is a consummate professional and one of the most respected players in the game by players and coaches alike,” Pride Head Coach Tom Sermanni said. “She’s been an outstanding leader here in Orlando and made a significant contribution to our team both on and off the field in our inaugural year. I wish her every success moving forward. She will always remain a part of the Pride family.”
Edwards, 28, was acquired by the Pride in December from the Western New York Flash after previously playing for Portland Thorns FC and the Houston Dash. In 2013, Edwards was signed as a free agent by the Thorns. She played 10 matches for Portland, and was slated to be called into U.S. WNT camp by Sermanni, but suffered an ACL tear that cut her first NWSL season short.
The next season, Edwards was acquired by the Dash in the 2014 Expansion Draft where she played in every minute of Houston’s first 23 matches. In 2015, Edwards was traded to the Flash where she would go on to be named team captain and played every minute of the season scoring two goals and adding three assists.
After four years at FSU, Edwards joined FC Gold Pride of WPS in 2010. There, the midfielder helped lead a star-studded roster to the league’s championship, her first of three club titles. The next year Edwards became a back-to-back WPS Champion, leading the Flash to the 2011 title. Two years later, in 2013, the Thorns would go on to win the first-ever NWSL Championship in Edwards’ injury-shortened season.
On the international stage, the Downingtown, Penn. native captained the 2008 U.S. U20 Women’s National Team. Alongside current Pride teammate Alex Morgan, Edwards and the USA became 2008 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup Champions after a 2-1 win over North Korea.
A four-year letterwinner with the Seminoles, Edwards left Tallahassee fifth all-time at FSU in career starts (89) and tied for third in all-time appearances (95). Team captain during her senior season, she was also named a semifinalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy given to college soccer’s most valuable player.
Edwards and the Pride play their final match of the Club’s inaugural 2016 season on Saturday night, hosting FC Kansas City at 5 p.m. ET at Camping World Stadium. Tickets for the match are available at orlando-pride.com or by calling (855) ORL-CITY.
