The Orlando Pride were attack-minded when selecting their latest draftee in the 2018 National Women’s Soccer League College Draft.
On Thursday, Orlando used their 23rd-overall pick on forward Nádia Gomes of Brigham Young University. Despite being born in Portugal, Gomes will not occupy an international spot because she also is a United States citizen.
“We’re really delighted with being able to get Nádia,” Pride head coach Tom Sermanni said, per the release. “She was one of the players that we had earmarked, and we thought she’d go much higher.
“She’s versatile; she’s quick; she’s technically very good; she’s left-sided, and she speaks Portuguese, so she’ll fit in well [in Orlando] with that. The potential and versatility that she has is something that I think will fit in well with us.”
At BYU, the 21-year-old tallied 23 goals and 23 assists in four seasons. Before starting all 62 games in her final three seasons as a Cougar, Gomes eased her way into the collegiate level. In freshman season, she scored 3 goals and had 3 assists in 21 appearances.
On the international level, Gomes represented Portugal at the UEFA U-19 Women’s Championship, scoring twice in six appearances—five starts—as a defender.
Last season, the Pride finished as the best offensive league in the team. Orlando scored 45 goals and 30 assists, 2 goals and 1 assist higher than the respective runner-up teams. The Pride were led by forwards Marta Vieira da Silva, who had the second-most goals (13) and was tied for second-most assists (6), and Alex Morgan, who was tied for fifth in goals (9).
“If you see our squad and how we played, [versatility] is really more important,” Sermanni said. “We’re of the view that we look to try to get the best players we can get and then work them into whatever system we think fits best.
“I think Nádia is that kind of player.”
Preseason camps start on Feb. 19 for all NWSL teams.
For more on the Pride, as they enter the 2018 season with a new draftee, follow Victor Tan on Twitter at @NDR_VictorTan.
To contact Victor, you can email him at vtan@newdayreview.com.
