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Last month, Orlando Pride, the City Beautiful’s own professional women’s soccer team, announced Becky Burleigh as its new interim head coach. Burleigh, a Tarpon Springs native and former University of Florida head coach, is a four-time SEC Coach of the Year who has mentored many successful players, including the US Women’s National Team’s Abby Wambach and Heather Mitts.
Alan Kirkup, a former Manchester United player who worked alongside Burleigh in Gainesville for 15 years, was also named the Pride’s interim assistant coach.
The pair’s coaching debut occurred July 31, resulting in a 1-1 tie with the North Carolina Courage.