Orlando Pride shine before record crowd, auguring well for women's game

An NWSL-record crowd of 23,403 turned up for the expansion Orlando Pride’s inaugural home match, a sign the women’s game is discovering real traction

The future of women’s soccer was on view in Orlando on Saturday night as a record 23,403 fans flocked to the Citrus Bowl for the inaugural home outing of the Orlando Pride in a part of Florida that is rapidly becoming synonymous with the beautiful game.

It was the future of a league, of a new team, of fans new to the sport and even of a possible matrimonial tie-up as one of the men’s team’s most recognizable supporters was joined by a female counterpart in a development that is sure to please unicorn-lovers everywhere.

The key feature was the highest attendance in the short history of the National Women’s Soccer League, as the crowd topped the previous best of 21,144 for the Portland-Seattle game last July. All week, the Pride – backed by the formidable marketing machine that is Orlando City SC – had flirted with the idea of a record turnout, and it was duly confirmed by press release almost three hours before kick-off with the sale of the 21,145th ticket.

Simon Veness at the Citrus Bowl

Published By - Theguardian.com - Sports New, LifeStyle News, Politics news, UK and world political comment and analysis: Sunday 24 April 2016 04.03 BST