Pregnant footballer hailed on social media after training with side

Sydney Leroux at an Orlando Pride training session. Photo / Instagram

American football international Sydney Leroux has been praised on social media after training with her Orlando Pride while five and a half months pregnant.

Leroux, is set to miss the NWSL competition due to the impending birth of her second child but that hasn't stopped her from taking part in the build up to the season.

"I didn't think I'd be starting off preseason 5.5 months pregnant but here we are," Leroux posted on her Instagram account.

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"You're so brave Sydney I would be scared of getting elbowed," one person commented on the post.

"You're amazing! Thank you for always being an inspiration," another wrote.

The 28-year-old joined the Pride from FC Kansas City last season, scoring six goals in 20 matches.

She explained on Twitter that she was careful while training with her team.

"I just do non contact stuff. Ball work. Getting touches in. I don't put myself in situations where the ball can ricochet or I can get hit," Leroux said on Twitter. "No high intensity running and I listen to my OB (who knows more than people on twitter telling me what I shouldn't be doing with MY body)."

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Leroux is married to former Norwich City youngster Dom Dwyer and has played 78 matches of the USA including playing on World Cup and Olympic winning teams.