The Orlando Pride used their two draft picks on midfielders in the 2019 National Women’s Soccer League College Draft on Jan. 10.
Orlando selected University of Colorado-Boulder midfielder Erin Greening with 25th-overall pick (third round) and Northwestern University Marisa Viggiano with the 30th-overall pick (fourth round).
“For us, we wanted to find the best available [player] while also trying to fill a position of need,” new Pride General Manager Erik Ustruck said, per the release.
Greening played four seasons with the Buffaloes, recording two goals and four assists in 74 appearances. Both her goals came as game-winners when she played forward in her freshman season. She later moved to outside back during the same season and subsequently helped Colorado to two NCAA tournament appearances.
“I think Erin possesses versatility,” Ustruck said. “She’s very powerful and gets up and down the line. So that’s something that we’re looking for.”
Viggiano was one of Northwestern’s greatest offensive threats. Her 20 assists in four seasons is tied for second-most in school history. She led Northwestern in assists in three of her four seasons and was team captain in her final two seasons. The 21-year-old also made 83 appearances and earned two All-Big Ten honors.
The Michigan native also has some national-team experience, playing for the United States’ U-16 and U-20 teams.
“Marisa brings a little bit more of a possession-oriented-type player. She could be a pivot player,” Ustruck said. “She has the ability to link up between the different lines, and she can play with both feet. So she’s also a bit of that dynamic player that we were looking for.”
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