On Friday, Orlando Pride will participate in their second major process of player acquisition as an expansion team — the NWSL draft.
As the only expansion team this season, the Orlando Pride were awarded the first overall selection. Tom Sermanni and the front office decided to use that selection to acquire superstar Alex Morgan and Kaylyn Kyle via a trade with the Portland Thorns. In the same deal, the Thorns also sent pick ten in the first round to Orlando Pride in exchange for one of their Women’s National Team roster spots. A short while later, Orlando sent their third round selection to the Thorns for Australian star Steph Catley.
Orlando was also able to secure FC Kansas City’s second round selection (15th overall) in their deal to acquire forward Sarah Hagen. Acquiring that second round selection then gave them the ability to do some more wheeling and dealing.
In mid-December, Orlando Pride used their original second round selection (11th overall) to acquire Becky Edwards and Kristen Edmonds from the Western New York Flash.
So, a lot of moving parts to digest, but the final breakdown is simple. Orlando Pride will select tenth in round one, fifth in round two, and first in round four.
For the full draft order click here. Stay tuned to Orlando-Pride.com for up-to-the-minute draft coverage.
