It started as a simple outing—a chance for Coach Theresa Kolshak’s 2010 girls team at Florida Rush Soccer to attend an Orlando Pride match together. But it quickly became something more: a moment of connection, inspiration, and belief in what’s possible.

Recently, the team headed to Exploria Stadium for the Orlando Pride vs. Washington Spirit matchup. For some of the players, it was their first time attending a professional women’s soccer game. For others, it was their first-ever live sporting event. But for every girl on that team, the night turned into something unforgettable.

A Game-Day Experience Like No Other

Thanks to Coach Theresa’s coordination and the support of the girls program and our community, the 2010 girls weren’t just spectators—they were part of the show.

Some of the highlights included:

Watching warm-ups up close as both teams took the field

Standing in the center circle for the national anthem

Sitting in the exclusive West Club area to enjoy the match

From the moment they arrived, the girls were immersed in the environment of professional soccer—the energy, the music, the pace of warm-ups, the seriousness of preparation. For players who train multiple times a week and dream of taking their game to the next level, this was a front-row view of their potential future.

"You could see it in their faces—they weren’t just watching the game. They were absorbing it. Imagining themselves in that stadium one day."
– Coach Theresa Kolshak

Why These Moments Matter

Coach Theresa knows that not every player has the chance to attend a game like this on their own. And that’s exactly why she works so hard to create opportunities like this.

"For me personally? I like that I can create these incredible experiences for my players. Some of them cannot afford do things like this or even attend Pride games at all. So being able to give them these memories is priceless in my opinion."

But it’s not just about fun. These outings are part of a broader vision: helping girls see what’s possible, understand why they train the way they do, and feel connected to something bigger than their weekly practices.

"Doing these activities helps drive them to see how the women’s game has evolved. It also shows them that if they work hard, they could be in this exact place in the future."

Connecting the Game to Their Growth

Beyond the emotion and excitement, there’s a deep learning opportunity in watching high-level soccer in person. Players get to see the very tactics they train come to life:

• How players use their first touch in tight spaces

• Defensive pressure and recovery speed

• Off-the-ball movement and spacing

• Communication on the field

For young players, watching the game through the lens of their own development can be incredibly eye-opening.

"Bringing the girls to these games helps them visually see all the things we train. Seeing it in motion helps them understand the reasoning behind certain technical and tactical skills."

It’s one thing to explain a concept in practice. It’s another to see professional players execute it at full speed, on a stage that represents the very top of the sport.

Building Team Chemistry Off the Field

Another key benefit? Time together as a team—but away from drills and scrimmages. Events like this create space for bonding that doesn’t happen during training:

• Girls sharing snacks and stories on the ride to the stadium

• Cheering together in the stands

• Asking questions, pointing out plays, and dreaming together

The social dynamic of the team strengthens. Players build deeper friendships. And when they return to the field? They’re more connected—and it shows.

"It’s the little things—laughing in the car, screaming when Pride scored, taking selfies—that make them feel like a team. And that translates to how they play together."

Coaching Beyond the Field

For Coach Theresa, this isn’t a one-time event. It’s part of how she coaches.

She believes that giving players memories and meaning beyond training is just as important as skill work. Because confidence isn’t just built in drills—it’s built in moments that make a player feel seen, inspired, and believed in.

These experiences become part of the emotional foundation a young player builds her love for the game on. "Some of these girls might never play pro—and that’s okay. But all of them deserve to feel the magic of the game in real life. To see what’s out there. To know they belong in this sport."

And if even one girl leaves a night like this thinking, “I could be on that field one day,”—then it’s a win.

Bringing Inspiration Back

After the game, the team returned to training with a spark. They talked about the plays they saw, the way the pros moved, and even mimicked celebrations from the match. There was an edge to their energy. A little more focus. A little more purpose.

That’s the ripple effect of inspiration. "They saw the top of the mountain. And now, they’re more motivated to climb."

Coach Theresa is already planning the next outing—and she encourages other coaches to think beyond the field when it comes to developing players.

Because sometimes, the most important part of a young athlete’s journey doesn’t happen at practice. It happens when they’re wide-eyed in the stands, believing in what’s possible.

Thank You, Coach Theresa

At Florida Rush, we’re proud to have coaches like Theresa Kolshak who go above and beyond—not just in teaching the game, but in creating experiences that players will carry with them for life.

We believe that’s what youth soccer is all about: building skill, building spirit, and building moments that shape the future.Here’s to more game-day memories, more dreams sparked, and more young players who believe that the field under their feet is just the beginning

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