For the love of Marta: teammates sing praises of ageless wonder

Photo Credit: Russell Lansford-Imagn Images

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — When Anna Moorhouse joined the Orlando Pride in 2022, one of her new teammates approached and introduced herself.

“Hi, I’m Marta,” the player said.

Shocked, the goalkeeper made sure Marta knew, that Moorhouse knew, exactly who Marta was. “I was like ‘I know who you are. I really do,’” Moorhouse told media Thursday, making an incredulous expression with her face and hands as if still in disbelief.

Pride defender Kerry Abello was 11 when she first met Marta. At the time, Marta was playing for FC Gold Pride in WPS. Abello and her family made the trek from Chicago to the Bay Area so she could see her idol. Yes, there was a team in Chicago, but off they went to California. When the game was over, Marta signed a soccer ball for, and posed for a picture with, Abello.