Orlando Pride Goalkeeper Aubrey Bledsoe Loaned to Sydney FC for the Off-Season

The Orlando Pride announced today that they have loaned goalkeeper Aubrey Bledsoe to Westfield W-League side Sydney FC, making her the fifth Pride player to join Australia’s premier women’s league for the off-season. She’ll join Orlando teammates Toni Pressley, Steph Catley, Alanna Kennedy, and Rachel Hill down under for the winter. Camila would also have played in the W-League if not for her season-ending knee injury.

“Aubrey had a fantastic season for us this year and we’re excited for her to continue her development in Australia,” said Pride Head Coach Tom Sermanni in a club release. “This is a great opportunity for her to get some more playing time. I have no doubt Aubrey will go in and be a wonderful asset for Sydney FC.”

Bledsoe, 25, is coming off a standout season for the Pride, filling in for Ashlyn Harris for 11 games (all starts) during the 2017 NWSL campaign — her second in Orlando after being acquired  from Sky Blue FC in the final round of the 2015 NWSL Expansion Draft. The Cincinnati native compiled a 5-4-2 record and two shutouts, and earned NWSL Save of the Week in Week 9, 12, and 13, stopping Carli Lloyd, Tori Huster, and Brittany Ratcliffe, respectively. She was also honored as the Pride’s Comeback Player of the Year earlier this month after returning from a broken leg sustained last season.

Bledsoe will return to the Pride for the start of the 2018 NWSL season, as the club announced on Oct. 23 it has picked up her option for next year.

Sydney FC, currently ninth in the W-League table, has shipped 10 goals in its first four games of the season. Sydney returns to play Dec. 2, hosting seventh-place Melbourne Victory in a match that kicks off at 12 a.m. ET.