Photo Copyright Rob Gray for USA TODAY Sports
To watch the 2024 version of Marta play soccer, you’d never guess she is 38, much closer to the end of the road than the start. Friday night in Utah, the Orlando Pride lined up sans the Brazilian legend for the first time this season, an understandable development considering she was in with her national team during the recent FIFA break.
In the 62nd minute of a sleepy affair in the Wasatch Valley, Pride coach Seb Hines called on Marta as a sub. The energy on the field changed immediately, and six minutes after arriving in the match, Marta scored its only goal. She started the play, and then finished it with precision. It was her second goal of the season following her brilliant finish against Angel City three weeks earlier that stole a late point for the Pride.
“We were mindful of her energy levels,” Hines said “She played 90 minutes for Brazil on Tuesday and it was a quick turnaround with the travel. To come off the bench and make an impact, there’s no better way than…
