Close to 100 hopefuls attended tryouts at the weekend for Orlando Pride as the expansion side prepare for their first season in the National Women’s Soccer League.

Among those running the rule over the players at the Seminole Soccer Complex in Sanford was Khano Smith, the former Bermuda captain, who was named as assistant coach of Orlando in December. The 35-year-old previously worked on the coaching staff at Southern New Hampshire University men’s team, as well as youth development player co-ordinator at New England Revolution, where he had two stints from 2005 to 2008 and 2010.

Smith, who served as an analyst for the Revolution on Comcast SportsNet New England, also had spells at New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer and then-League Two side Lincoln City in England.

The former Dandy Town forward will work alongside experienced head coach Sermanni, a former Torquay United and Blackpool midfielder, who previously coached the United States and Australia women’s national teams.

“My goal is to help Tom [Sermanni] build a competitive squad and make a strong impact on their professional development,” Smith said in a recent interview.

The NWSL is the top level of women’s football in the US, with the new season scheduled to start in March.

As well as looking for players to add to their professional squad, Orlando will be fielding an amateur team this season.

They are the tenth team to be added to the NWSL and are affiliated with Orlando City in the MLS.

The side will play their home games at the 60,000-seater Citrus Bowl at the start of the season.