For the first time this season, both draftees for the Orlando Pride took the field in Orlando City Stadium. Danica Evans, drafted 22nd overall, and Nickolette Driesse, drafted 32nd overall, both played for the final 15 minutes of the match and both impressed Head Coach Tom Sermanni.
“They have been great all season,” Sermanni said in his postgame press conference, “It has been really tough for them. When you look at our roster and the players that we have and the way the games have gone, it's been difficult to throw them in under extreme pressure which is a bit unfair. Or throwing them in when we are losing games, which again is a little bit unfair. So they've been really fantastic in training and really patient. So tonight was the ideal time, the perfect time when we could put them on in the game, we could rest some of our key players, and put them on at a time where there wasn't the same stress levels there might have been if it was a draw or we were losing. I think it’s really important to give those players game time, because they deserve it. They've done well in training and they are very much a part of this squad. Just the time worked out perfect to get them on.”
Evans has now played in nine games this season, scoring one goal in the season home opener, while Driesse played in just her second game this year. Fellow rookie Rachel Hill, who was traded to the Pride from the Portland Thorns after being drafted 14th overall, has also played in nine games, scoring a game-winning goal on the road against Sky Blue FC.
With the bevy of talent the Pride and Tom Sermanni have at their disposal, the Pride rookies have an ideal situation in which to start their professional careers: Learn from the best players at their position while also playing alongside them as they continue to grow their own games. These players will be ones to watch for the future.
