Pride of Orlando: An Interview with Becky Edwards

Originally from Downingtown, PA, Becky Edwards became a member of the Orlando Pride in a trade which brought her and teammate Kristen Edmonds from the Western New York Flash back in December. The trade included a second-round pick in the 2016 NWSL College Draft and a first-round pick in 2017.

A four-year veteran of the NWSL, Edwards first joined the league as a member of Portland Thorns in 2013. Edwards was then selected by the Houston Dash with the eighth pick in the 2014 NWSL Expansion Draft, and she was a key piece in the Carli Lloyd to Houston trade, which saw Becky play for the Flash in 2015. A linchpin for the Flash, Edwards played every minute last season while contributing two goals and three assists.

Prior to her time in the NWSL, she spent two seasons playing in Sweden, as well as two seasons in the now defunct Women's Professional Soccer — first with FC Gold Pride then with Western New York. Becky was a standout in college while attending Florida State University. She was kind enough to answer a few of our questions.

Q: For part of your career you were playing overseas. How did you end up there?

A: Well, after the 2011 season, when I played for Western New York, I went to play on loan in Sweden just because I wanted the season to go longer. The WPS season was short. I wanted to develop my game, so I played on loan in Hammarby in Stockholm. It was incredible for two months. I came back, then in January, I believe, we found out the WPS had folded…There was a league in the U.S. but it wasn't fully professional, so it was a summer league — maybe four months — and I decided to go back and play in Sweden all of 2012. The team I was playing for was relegated, so they went to the lower division. I signed with a team in the top (flight) in Sweden. Played there. I loved Sweden. I loved playing there. Love the culture.

Q: Since you've been back in the NWSL, you've moved around a little bit. Can you talk about your experience when you were traded to the Pride?

A: Yeah, I played on a different team in the NWSL and part of that was doing my dues and getting around the league. I'd torn my ACL in Portland, was picked up in the expansion draft, went to Houston, and was traded to Western New York. For me, personally, coming to the Pride, I had asked for the trade from Western New York. I wanted to come to Orlando where I'm starting settle down my life in Florida. So it was a personal request from me to the club and I'm glad Western New York was able to work with me and get me here to Orlando.

Q: What kind of leadership role do you see yourself in? Have you talked to Coach Tom Sermanni about it?

A: No, I haven't really talked to Tom about it. I'm more of q quiet leader. Lead by example. I'm not one to yell and scream. I would like to think my hard work and the way that I play the game is more of my leadership…yeah, I would like to think that's more my style of leadership, and we'll see how Tom does with that and how the team goes with that. That's kind of who I am.

Q: For people who are unfamiliar with you as a player, what do you bring to the team and what are your strengths?

A: I would say I'm a pretty composed player. Just keep it simple and I pride myself in keeping the ball, keeping possession. Hard work, winning balls by either reading the game, or in the air, or by being physical. But you know, in that defensive midfield position it's all about keeping the ball and keeping possession and winning balls at the same time, so it's kind of a mix in there, but just staying composed on the ball. Spreading the ball around and creating opportunities for my teammates to create things.

Q: What are the toppings on the perfect pizza?

A: Well, I like vegetables, so I would say spinach, onion and mushrooms.

Thanks once again to Becky Edwards. We wish her all the best this upcoming season. You can follow her on Twitter at @BeckyEdwards14 and learn more about Becky's experience with her ACL tear here. You can catch up on our other Pride of Orlando player profiles here.