In our 2nd special of the week we wanted to take a look at our new number 3 as we ask ourselves, who is Shelina Zadorsky? As many of you may know I am a HUGE Orlando Pride fan and have known of Shelina during her time in the NWSL at the Washington Spirit during the 2016-17 season and I started Following Shelina more once she joined the Orlando Pride in 2018.
Shelina started her soccer/football journey in 2006 where at the age of 14 Shelina represented Canada at youth level. Two years later at the age of 16 Shelina won Bronze with Canada’s U17 at the 2008 CONCACAF Women’s U-17 Championship. Shelina also represented Canada at the 2008 U-17 World Cup in New Zealand and the 2010 CONCACAF U-20 Championship in Guatemala. Shelina went on to win silver at the U-20 Championships in Panama (2010) and represented Canada in 2012 at the U-20 World Cup in Japan.
During 2010 and 2013 Shelina attended the University of Michigan, on January 2013 at the age of 20 Shelina’s dream became a reality when she made her debut with the senior team against South Korea. Two years later Shelina finished top goal scorer for Canada with 2 goals in the Pan American Games in Toronto, unfortunately for Zadorsky she did not make the roster for the 2015 World Cup which was held in Canada.
Unfortunately Canada were unable to lift the trophy on home soil as they fell 2-1 to England at the Quarter Finals stage.
Shelina Reborn.
Missing out on a place on the World Cup roster on home soil must be enough to knock anyone’s confidence, Sheina has always been a perfectionist on the field and this set back as well as putting so much pressure on herself lead to anxiety off the field. One can imagine the heartache of not being able to represent one’s country on the biggest stage/tournament in a soccer/footballer’s career can make or break a player. Many never recover and others become stronger and more motivated and for Shelina the latter is most definitely more fitting. After having spent time at Ottawa Fury (2013-14), Perth Glory (2014-15) and Vittsjö GIK (2015-16), Shelina moved to the NWSL signing for the Washington Spirit for the 2016-17 season. Motivated by missing out on the Canada roster a year earlier Zadorsky was motivated to prove her worth and make the Canada roster for the 2016 Olympics. Zadorsky settled in in no time and became a reliable rock at the defence of the Washington Spirit. Zadorsky managed 32 starts and guided the Spirit to 2nd place in the regular season 2 points behind Portland Thorns, all this in her debut season in the NWSL and for the Spirit whereas the season before Washington finished 4th. Zadorsky was also part of the same team that reached the 2016 NWSL Playoff final where it finished 2-2 after extra time and were only defeated 3-1 in the cruelest manner, a penalty shootout.
Shelina proved that there is always room for improvement and rejection today does not mean it can not be turned into success tomorrow because her reward for all her hard work in her superb debut 2016 season was that Shelina was called up to represent Canada at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Being called up to one of the biggest competitions to represent ones country is an achievement in itself but to win a medal is beyond any players dream. That is exactly what Zadorsky and her team mates achieved on August 19th when this inspirational group of women defeated home nation Brazil 2-1 in Sãn Paulo in the 3rd place match with goals from Christine Sinclair and Deanne Rose.
After a superb debut season in the NWSL and winning a bronze medal with Canada in Rio, Shelina started to catch the attention of many unfortunately the 2017 campaign did not go to plan for the Spirit who finished 10th With Zadorsky being named club captain and making the 4th most appearances for the club. The Spirits downward spiral in 2017 can only be put down to the departure of many key players such as Ali Krieger, Christine Naire, Diana Matheson and Crystal Dunn with USWNT rising star Mallory Pugh joining the Spirit too late into the season.
Welcome to the sunshine state.
In 2018 the Orlando Pride who finished 3rd for the first time in their history in 2017 but unfortunately were hammered in the Semi Finals of the NWSL playoff identified their defence as an area that needed strengthening. Orlando were willing to give up one of the best goalkeepers in the NWSL Aubrey Bledsoe and their number one draft pick for 2019 in exchange for former Washington Spirit player of the year Shelina Zadorsky.
There was a lot of expectation for the 2018 season after the Pride acquired Poliana, Sydney Leroux, Emily Van Egmond, Christine Nairn and Shelina Zadorsk, unfortunately after a final 4 game losing streak the Pride were only able to finish in 7th place, 7 points off a playoff spot resulting in Pride boss Tom Sermanni leaving the club by mutual agreement. Orlando had one of the best rosters in the NWSL but he just could not get the best out of these players. Sometimes a team needs new blood and with players in our squad like Camila, Alanna Kennedy, Zadorsky, Monica, Chi Ubogagu the G.O.A.T Marta not to mention World Cup winners Ashlyn Harris, Ali Krieger, Alex Morgan, Sydney Leroux the Pride should be challenging year after year for the championship and it became clear that Tom could not take the Pride any further.
The 2019 season did not get any better, after the appointment of former Birmingham City boss Mark Skinner, the Orlando Pride finished bottom of the table winning just 4 games out of 24 with 4 draws and 16 defeats. I do not blame the players as the Pride have a fantastic group of players and one can see their desire, heart and passion to win, they just need the right guidance and I don’t believe Mark Skinner is that Person. 2020 was the year that everyone said Mark Skinner and the Pride would prove themselves but due to the current situation the Pride were unable to participate in the Challenge Cup and with the Olympics next year many players have opted to go abroad which has worked out fantastic for Tottenham with the loan signings of Alanna Kennedy, Shelina Zadorsky and now baby horse herself Alex Morgan.
New Chapter.
I was a big fan of Zadorsky’s at Orlando, I felt that Shelina was a rock but the team just needed a different coach. Zadorsky made 39 appearances for Orlando scoring her first goal in the NWSL and her first goal since the 2014-15 season at Perth Glory against Sky Blue on September 29th 2019 (Zadorsky’s goal and match highlights can be watched below).
In August 2020 our Lilywhites announced the loan signing of Shelina Zadorsky of Canada and the Orlando Pride. Zadorsky has made 66 appearances for Canada and has won bronze at the 2016 Olympics. At just 27 years of age Zadorsky has already achieved more than many do in their entire career and she clearly has no intention of slowing down. Zadorsky is a winner and plays with a lot of heart, yes it’s a new league, a new culture and the fact that games are currently being played with no fans is strange for any player but Shelina is a player that has proved in the past that she can adapt to any situation and seeing her performances for Canada, Washington and Orlando she is here to achieve something not just to make up the numbers. I have no doubt that Shelina will be a fan favorite in no time and will bring some calm and confidence to the defence just as Emma Mitchell did last season.
I can’t wait for the day that fans are allowed back into grounds because watching these inspirational women on television is one thing but nothing beats watching them perform live and in person at the Hive and under the lights during a weekday match. Until that day welcome to Tottenham Shelina, we wish you and the rest of the women the best of luck for the season ahead and just know that even though you can not see the fans or hear the fans we are at home cheering you on and once the doors open we will show you how much we appreciate the team. Until then COME ON YOU SPURS!
Women's Soccer Fans 