Youth Movement: Rookie midfielder Ally Lemos is soaking up every moment in Orlando

For most rookies in their professional debut, there's typically a "welcome to the league" moment that is both humbling and life-changing. It could be a hard tackle, the pace of the ball just traveling faster than expected, or even being bumped off the ball.

For Orlando Pride rookie midfielder Ally Lemos, her 'welcome to the NWSL' moment was actually a social interaction. It was when she met Brazilian international Marta for the very first time.

Lemos played collegiately at UCLA for two years before declaring for the draft. She was selected in the first-round of the 2024 draft by Orlando.

Whether Lemos knew at the time or not, she was walking into a historic Orlando team.

The Pride are on an unprecedented run in the league, undefeated in 20-straight games. Lemos has taken the field for the Pride on a few occasions, stepping seamlessly into her role in the midfield. Lemos is currently representing the U.S. Youth National Team at the 2024 FIFA Under-20 World Cup.

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NJ/NY Gotham FC

GOT

2024-10-20T21:00:00.000Z21:00

Orlando Pride

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At just 20, Lemos is soaking it all in.

"I haven't had a single negative interaction, a single bad day, which is really exciting," Lemos said about her time so far in Orlando. "And honestly, our energy, like our team camaraderie is infectious."

When asked about being welcomed to the the league, Lemos couldn't help but mention her first interaction with her now teammate.

"Marta introduced herself to me on like my first day and I was like, 'I know exactly who you are.' " Lemos said. "But, she's so humble, which is something I really like, idolize about her because that's like a trait I want to be. But yeah, she was like, "Hi i'm Marta, what's your name?' And I was like, 'I'm Ally, nice to meet you.' "

Lemos called it a "starstruck moment."

What first was a starstruck moment soon became the reality for Lemos, who was quickly called upon in a starting role for Orlando.

The California native's first start was on May 5 against Racing Louisville, as she played 87 minutes and helped her side earn a 1-0 victory at home. Lemos told INDIVISA that it has always been her dream to play professionally.

"From day one, [I] feel like straight out the womb, I came out kicking," Lemos said. "But it's kind of always been my dream, I would say. My parents have always been such a huge inspiration, both of them played soccer. And I remember like, in our house in the front yard, just having to shoot barefoot with my dad, and he would just be training me in between my soccer and school."

The rookie's parents have been her biggest inspirations, but so have players such Marta and Lionel Messi.

"I really love Messi," Lemos said.

It's obvious that Lemos' humility is her super power. She was All-Pac 12 in college, and is all smiles when raving about her experience in Orlando, particularly the all-you-can-eat sushi spots and water parks she frequents.

"Me and my teammates have gone a couple of times," she said.

Her sushi order, you're probably wondering is simple, yet effective, like her game.

"I prefer just like the fish and the rice," she said. "I think you get the most bang for your buck that way and it's just very delicate. But my favorite fish are escolar, which is white tuna and yellowtail and albacore."

Lemos has also been enjoying her time with the Pride because of the people, and friendships she's made.

"My rookie class is really great," she said. "They've been kind of like a support system within itself because we're all kind of going through the same thing. I feel like everyone on my team [is part of my support system], like Kylie Strom as well, they're just all such great people and I can rely on them."

Something is clearly clicking for Orlando, as the squad is dominating much of the league's categories from shutouts (12) to already securing a playoff spot.

Lemos is off on international duty, helping the U.S. U20 team advance to the FIFA World Cup quarterfinals. Getting that call up to the World Cup roster was one of Lemos' happiest days. She remembers it vividly.

"I was with my mom because she was in town visiting because she's a teacher [and it's summer]," she said. "I was like, 'OK, I have my call at like 6:15!' My mom was just like sitting there like watching me on the phone and I was just like, 'Don't look at me!' "

After Lemos got the yes to making the team, it was a freak-out moment.

"I was like, 'Holy crap, I have an opportunity to go and represent my country on the biggest stage possible.' "

Definitely a moment that called for all-you-can-eat sushi.

Lemos is taking in every second representing her country and Orlando, and says when it comes to the type of player she is, she likes to lead by example.

"I like to lead by action, not really by words," she said. "So that's really like a big motto of mine and to always stay humble and just work hard, do everything you can. And just at the end of the day, I want to be walking out the field regardless of the result, but knowing like I put my best foot forward and contributed all that I could to winning."

Another area that Lemos is winning at right now? Her pre-game fits. She describes her style as "streetwear" and prefers to pair smaller shirts with baggier pants and chunky shoes.

"The adidas Campuses, I love them," she said. "I definetly consider myself to be a sneaker head a little bit. I love my shoes."

From meeting Marta for the first time to serving her balls to feet and through offensive pockets, Lemos is finding her way in Orlando - and her own way at that.