Orlando Pride striker Sydney Leroux took her first step back onto the game-day pitch three months and one day after giving birth to her daughter.
It wasn’t for long — Leroux subbed on for Marisa Viggiano in the 86th minute of the Orlando Pride’s 1-1 draw with Sky Blue FC Sunday — but those minutes were special for the striker, who hadn’t played a game minute with the Pride since September 2018.
The moment reverberated throughout Red Bull Arena, as the announced crowd of 8,314 stood to cheer. Pride players from across the field jogged over to welcome Leroux to the pitch.