PHILADELPHIA – The fifth overall draft pick of Reyna Reyes by the Portland Thorns FC highlighted a trio of Alabama soccer players drafted to the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) at the Pennsylvania Convention Center Thursday Night. In addition to Reyes, Riley Tanner and Riley Mattingly Parker went as back-to-back picks in the third round with Tanner being selected 30th overall by the Washington Spirit and Parker picked 31st by the Racing Louisville FC.
Alabama was one of three teams to have three players selected in the draft joining Duke and Florida State. It is the first time since 2015 that a Southeastern Conference team has had three players selected in a draft and just the third time in conference history a program has had three or more players drafted to the NWSL.
Round 1 | Pick 5 | Portland Thorns FC
- First Alabama player selected in the first round of the NWSL draft, being picked fifth by the Portland Thorns FC
- First defender selected in the draft
- Was selected as a 2022 Honda Award finalist and MAC Hermann Trophy semifinalist
- A 2022 United Soccer Coaches All-American first team honoree
- Named the 2022 SEC Defender of the Year
- Three-Time First Team All-SEC selection
- Two-time USC All-Region first team recipient and two-time third-team honoree
- Named to the 2022 College Cup All-Tournament Team
- Anchored the Crimson Tide backline to program records in shutouts (12) and wins (23)
- Despite playing on the defensive end of the field, she was tied for third on the team in goals with eight this season
- Scored 16 goals and tallied five assists over her career for 37 points
- Four-year starter, playing in 79 games with the Tide
- Member of the 2021 Mexican National Team
Round 3 | Pick 30 | Washington Spirit
- Selected by the Washington Spirit as the 30th overall pick in the draft
- 2022 Second Team All-SEC
- 2022 United Soccer Coaches All-Region second team honoree
- Ranks fourth all-time at Alabama in single-season assists (8) and eighth all-time in single-season game-winning goals (3)
- Tallied eight assists during the 2022 season ranking 34th nationally
- Scored the game-winning goal over Auburn last year
- Assisted the game-winning goal against No. 5 South Carolina, Texas A&M and No. 20 Ole Miss during the 2022 season
- Finished her career at Alabama with eight goals, 11 assists and 27 points
- Including her time at South Carolina, she tallied 15 goals, 14 assists and 44…
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