The National Women’s Soccer League is officially in the final third of the season with six games remaining. The playoff race is heating up, with all 12 teams still mathematically in contention, and players are making a case for end-of-year awards. Orlando Pride rookie Messiah Bright leads all rookies this season in goals scored with six and has emerged as the key attacking piece for Orlando’s present and future.Â
Bright was selected No. 21 overall by Orlando Pride in the 2023 NWSL Draft. The TCU attacker closed out a stellar collegiate career, starting 103 career games, and she is the all-time goal-scoring leader with 50 goals. She was rated among the top goal scorers heading into the draft but fell late into the second round. Now she is in a strong position to nab a nomination for Rookie of the Year.Â
The striker is coming off her first career brace in the league in a 5-0 rout of the Chicago Red Stars and helped the team to a third consecutive win. Orlando is now in seventh place and they’re just two points out of playoff position. Bright has a lethal appetite for goals, and evolving to the pro level can take a moment to adjust, but she has wasted little time with confidence on the ball and finishing…
