2017 Central Florida 85 Nos. 18-34: Feeling the pressure

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ORLANDO, FL – JANUARY 29: Cheerleaders perform during the 2017 Pro Bowl on January 29, 2017, at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida.(Photo by Daniel Kucin Jr./Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

22. Roger Goodell, NFL

Roger Goodell gets plenty of criticism from the sports world. And much of it is deserved. The NFL has garnered plenty of its own controversy and has suffered a major reputation hit. But the money keeps churning.

Goodell though still has a major impact on the sports world. And his decision to move the Pro Bowl to Orlando was a risk.

Entering January’s game, players complained about moving away from Hawai’i and losing that vacation spot. But the game needed a refresh in every way.

In January, it seemed to work. The Pro Bowl sold out Camping World Stadium and was viewed as a success. So much so the NFL is coming back to Orlando for the Pro Bowl in 2018.

Many in Orlando want to see the city become on the short list of potential expansion or relocation cities. That is not likely to happen without a new stadium or a major renovation to Camping World Stadium. But the Pro Bowl is still a great event to add to the Orlando calendar.

ORLANDO, FL – AUGUST 12: Orlando Pride forward Marta (10) celebrates after scoring a goal during the NWSL soccer match between the Orlando Pride and Sky Blue FC on August 12, 2017 at Orlando City Stadium in Orlando FL. (Photo by Joe Petro/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

21. Marta, Orlando Pride

When the Orlando Pride announced they were signing Marta before the season began, it felt like a coup. And really it was. Like her fellow countryman Kaka, Marta is a former FIFA Player of the Year winner. She actually won it five times.

Marta built her career on her goal scoring prowess and her technical ability. Bringing her to NWSL with that opportunity was a no-brainer. Especially when adding her to the attack with Alex Morgan.

Morgan was still making her way over from Paris St. Germain when Marta arrived. It has taken some time for the duo to get on the same page.

Right now, they certainly are. Orlando has gone on a tear to get into the Playoff picture in the NWSL. Marta has 11 goals (third in the league) and six assists (second in the league). The Pride are certainly thankful for her contributions. And she has continued to put more on the board for this team.

COMMERCE CITY, CO – JUNE 8: Christian Pulisic #10 of United States races toward goal during the World Cup Qualifier match between the United States and Trinidad & Tobago at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on June 8, 2017 in Commerce City, Colorado. The United States won the match 2-0 (Photo by Shaun Clark/Getty Images) /

20. Christian Pulisic, U.S. Soccer

The U.S. Men’s National Team is fighting to keep itself on track for easy qualification to the World Cup. Winning the hexagonal in CONCACAF seems a bit out of the question with just four games remaining in qualifying (including Friday’s game against Costa Rica). At this point, the team just needs to get all the points it can.

As much as Bruce Arena’s arrival changed the course for U.S. Soccer, so too did his decision to trust the young Christian Pulisic. And that decision may very well change the face of U.S. Soccer.

The 18-year-old American player has started making a name for himself in Germany’s Bundesliga and had an absolutely brilliant summer, scoring four goals in five games this summer. Pulisic has made himself the U.S.’s top striker and starter. The man creates goals.

When his career is all over, he may very well be the best player in U.S. history. He is well on his way to getting there.

And if the U.S. wants to wrap up qualification for the World Cup Oct. 6 in Orlando, Pulisic will play a key role.