‘I’ve taken experiences from Marta but I’ve always had the belief to be here’, says England’s Anna Moorhouse
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ANNA MOORHOUSE is ready to push Mary Earps and Hannah Hampton all the way in the battle to start in goal for England.
Like her Orlando Pride team-mate and Brazil legend Marta the uncapped shot-stopper, 29, hopes to leave her mark on the game.
2024 has been a standout year at club level for Moorhouse.
One preceded by seasons battling for game time during stints with Everton, Doncaster Rovers Belles and Arsenal before a two-year spell at West Ham from 2018 to 2020.
The Oldham-born player, who once was part of a Doncaster Rovers Belles side relegated from the WSL in 2016, has been “riding the crest of a wave” at Orlando.
This month she helped her club make history in the United States’ women’s top-flight with the team winning the National Women’s Soccer League title.
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A first-half goal netted by Orlando star striker Barbra Banda secured a 1-0 defeat of Washington Spirit.
A result that led to the team, coached by Leeds-born former Middlesbrough centre-back Seb Hines, being crowned NWSL Champions for the first time.
Four months ago Moorhouse received her first call-up to the Lionesses squad, 12 years after beginning her senior club career with the Toffees.
The Orlando shot-stopper said: "I cried when I got the phone call from Sarina Wiegman. It was a dream come true.
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"I’ve been called up to a couple of camps and I’m starting to settle down a little bit and become more comfortable. I can let my personality out a little bit more.
"I still have a long way to go on that journey.
"I want to win an (England) cap. I’m not here just to train and be around the team."
This year Moorhouse etched her name into the NWSL’s history books keeping the most clean sheets in one season with 12 in 29 appearances for her club.
She adds: "I’m sure after this week I’ll look back and realise what an incredible achievement I’ve had this season.
"I haven’t really looked back and processed it. I’ve been riding the wave of what it is and what it has been
"As a team, we didn't really listen to pressures from outside, from the media, from opposing teams' fans and stuff like that.
"We were just so focused on getting the job done and bringing the trophy home."
Orlando’s triumph saw football icon Marta, 38, win the NWSL championship in the 24th year of her professional playing career.
Playing football with a forward who has competed in six World Cups has influenced Moorhouse’s own international aspirations.
I really want that cap and I want to push Mary Earps and Hannah Hampton to get that.
Anna Moorhouse
The goalkeeper, who joined the US club from Bordeaux two years ago, adds: "I’ve taken experiences from the way Marta acts around the team, but I’ve always had the belief that I had the ability to be here.
"Things didn’t go my way when I was younger but I still made it and everyone’s journey is different.
"I’m kind of a shy person which is weird for a goalkeeper.
"This year I’ve definitely been able to come out of my shell a little bit at Orlando Pride."
Like Marta, who retired from international football this year after a Paris Olympics silver medal win, Moorhouse hopes to shape the growth of women’s football.
She said: "We all want to grow the game and be that role model. It’s definitely something I want to do."
Moorhouse was in goal for West Ham when they competed in an FA Cup final in 2019 where the fell to a 3-0 loss to Man City at Wembley.
This Saturday could see her back at Wembley again when the Lionesses host the USA.
The friendly duel with Emma Hayes's side and with Switzerland at Bramall Lane next Tuesday will be England's final fixtures for this year.
Both are being used as preparation for Nations League games in February and the Lionesses' bid to retain their Euros champions title.
Securing a place in Wiegman’s squad for next year’s Euros is a target for Moorhouse.
And the 6ft tall shot stopper reckons her height could give her an edge in addition to her skills between the sticks.
She adds: "I really want that cap and I want to push Mary Earps and Hannah Hampton to get that.
"Mary and Hannah are really good goalkeepers in their own rights respectively.
"I think I can add a little bit of something different.
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"I’m very tall. I think that’s a big part of my game. I definitely want to be a part of the Euros squad.
"Hopefully I can impress Sarina in this camp."