It may have been more than two months since goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris last played for the Orlando Pride, but once she’s back on the field, her teammates will feel her presence right away.

“I’m gonna be yelling the entire game. They’re not gonna be able to take a second off,” she said. “I’m gonna make sure everyone’s switched on and as long as I do the communication part in front of me, there should be no breakdowns.”

Harris, who went down with a quad injury in May, will finally return as Orlando’s starting goalkeeper at 7:30 p.m. Saturday when the Pride host Sky Blue FC.

Orlando could potentially jump into a playoff spot with a win, while a loss could be devastating to the team’s postseason chances. But the high stakes haven’t deterred Harris, who is thrilled to finally have the chance to play again.

“It’s a pressure situation to come into, ’cause right now we can’t afford to drop points, but I love the confidence the coaches have in me,” she said. “I just gotta stick to the things I’m good at, the simple things right now, and that’s bringing my leadership role and bringing my communication qualities and making sure I’m organized, making sure the team hears me and feels comfortable and confident.”

Readjusting to playing after taking so much time to recover will be tough, but Harris will have to deal with the added challenge of having little time to train with her teammates.

Last week, seven of the Pride’s top players were competing in the Tournament of Nations. They returned to the Pride in time for a busy week. Saturday’s match will be Orlando’s third game in seven days, allowing time for only a few light workouts this week.

“With the way the games in that international tournament went, that bit of the rehab hasn’t been probably as thorough as we would have liked,” Pride coach Tom Sermanni said. “But someone of Ashlyn’s experience can cope with that quite easily. So, she’s healthy and she’s desperate and ready to go.”

Harris’ recovery was especially frustrating due to the nature of her injury. Despite only being cleared to play in time for Saturday’s game, she had been healthy enough to train for weeks.

“It’s not a matter of training capability, that’s where a lot of people get confused. They’re like, ‘We don’t get it, you’re training with the team,’” she said. “It’s the kicking. Every time I get the ball, I have to kick it as hard and as far as I can, … You can’t compromise that and there’s no point of waiting 10 weeks and jumping into the fire too early and then putting yourself back all that time.”

Waiting so long to be able to come back was very difficult, but Harris was comforted knowing the team’s goal was in good hands while she was gone. Backup goalkeeper Aubrey Bledsoe excelled in the stretch of games during which she filled in for Harris.

“I’m really proud of her and the way she’s handled herself and it’s not an easy job filling my shoes. I know that,” Harris said. “And I will say this now, I think it’s crazy if some of these NWSL coaches don’t want to pick her up to be a first string goalkeeper.”

After having to spend so much time on the sidelines, Harris knows she won’t be able to pick up right where she left off. But she’s happy to finally begin working her way back.

“I’m gonna have to build my way back up to the top of my game and I’m not expecting to all of a sudden snap my fingers and be where I need to be,” she said. “It’s gonna be a process for me but I’m excited for the challenge.”