With just four NWSL appearances this season — the last being a six-minute cameo for Orlando Pride against Bay FC — Copper Queens midfielder Grace Chanda has managed to register two full 90-minute performances in the Concacaf W Champions Cup. The 28-year-old, whose Pride debut was delayed after joining last year, played the entire match yesterday against Chorrillo FC, as well as the fixture against Alajuelense two weeks ago.
Although renowned for her attacking qualities, Chanda has been deployed as a fullback in both Champions Cup matches. Yesterday, she started as a right back before being pushed forward in the second half.
Orlando Pride’s 5–0 win over Chorrillo FC was highlighted by a hat trick from Summer Yates. Julie Doyle and Ally Lemos were also on the scoresheet. The result placed Pride at the top of Group A, above CF América, Pachuca, Alajuelense, and Chorrillo.
Head coach Seb Hines explained why Chanda has been playing out of position:
“It was a little bit of an experiment, and we wanted to rest some players as well because we’ve got a tough schedule coming up, and we wanted to see if Grace could play full back or wing, or even towards the end, she played in a central position as well. So, yeah, I think the highlight for her today was getting through a ninety-minute game and leaving the field with a lot of confidence after it,” Hines said.
The Pride coach also said: “She was doing a job for us at full back…. But you could see that she was uncomfortable there. So moving her into a high position was an opportunity for her to showcase her qualities. She’s a terrific athlete, really good footballer as well.”
“And I think everyone could see in that first half, she wasn’t used to playing as a full back. And when you haven’t had that sort of experience and you’re thrown in at the deep end, it can be tough. But you could see in the second half, she was a lot more comfortable. She got the ball wide. She dribbled and was making good decisions on the ball.”
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