On Monday, Orlando Pride cemented the core of their roster through the 2015 NWSL expansion draft. Below is an introduction of the nine players selected in the expansion draft. (The 1st selection in the expansion draft- Meghan Klingenberg- was traded to Portland as part of the Alex Morgan trade.)
1. Ashlyn Harris
Position: Goalkeeper
College: University of North Carolina
Hometown: Satellite Beach, Fla.
Selected From: Washington Spirit
What She Brings to the Team: Orlando Pride brought in one of the top goalkeeper’s in the world with their second pick. Harris has been a part of the United States National Team system since 2000, and also was with the United States this past summer during the FIFA World Cup. In 2011, Harris led the Western New York Flash to the WPS Championship, making the last save in penalties to give the Flash the victory.
2. Taryn Hemmings
Position: Defender
College: Denver University
Hometown: Greeley, Colo.
Selected From: Chicago Red Stars
What She Brings to the Team: Hemmings was an easy pick for the Orlando Pride during the expansion draft. The Denver University product is a more than solid defender who will provide quality minutes for the pride over the season. Hemmings has played in three different countries over her career (United States, Australia, and Denmark) and has over 50 professional appearances. She will be an integral piece for the Orlando defense.
3. Jasmyne Spencer
Position: Forward
College: University of Maryland
Hometown: Bayshore, NY
Selected From: Western New York Flash
What She Brings to the Team: Spencer is a quality forward who is just now entering the prime of her career at 25 years old. Like Hemmings, Spencer has plenty of experience playing abroad. Since Spencer turned pro in 2011, she has played in the United States, Australia, Denmark, and Cyprus. While at Sydney FC in Australia, she scored eight goals in thirteen appearances, proving her capabilities as a striker. Spencer will bring great competition for Sarah Hagen and Alex Morgan.
4. Jamia Fields
Position: Forward
College: Florida State
Hometown: Alta Loma, Calif.
Selected From: Western New York Flash
What She Brings to the Team: Fields is a very promising prospect. During her time at Florida State, she showed great skill accumulating 30 assists and 14 goals. She has the ability to be an extremely important piece for the Orlando Pride. At 22 years old, Fields’ has a great opportunity to further her development at the forward position.
5. Camille Levin
Position: Defender
College: Stanford
Hometown: Newport Coast, Calif.
Selected From: Sky Blue FC
What She Brings to the Team: Levin has played in Australia, Sweden, and the United States since her professional career began in 2012. She also featured for the US U-20 and US U-23 during her career. The Stanford product is a very capable defender, and will certainly compete for a starting spot with the Orlando Pride. Levin featured in 23 games for Sky Blue last season.
6. Lianne Sanderson
Position: Forward
College: Professional only
Hometown: Lewisham, England
Selected From: Portland Thorns
What She Brings to the Team: Sanderson is one of the most experienced players on the Orlando roster thus far. The English forward has featured for teams such as Arsenal and Chelsea in the Women’s Premier League. Sanderson is a regular player for the England National Team with15 goals in nearly 50 appearances. She also contributed to England’s third place finish at the FIFA Women’s World Cup. At 27 years old, Sanderson is entering the prime of her career and should contribute quality minutes for Orlando this season.
7. Toni Pressley
Position: Defender
College: Florida State
Hometown: Melbourne, Fla.
Selected From: Houston Dash
What She Brings to the Team: Pressley is another native Floridian who brings great experience for the Orlando defensive line. She has made over 50 professional appearances in her career and also brings experience at the international level with the US U-23s, U20’s, U18s, and U17s. Having a quality defensive line is imperative for the Orlando Pride and having a player like Pressley on the roster will surely add to the strength of the defense.
8. Maddy Evans
Position: Midfielder/ Defender
College: Penn State
Hometown: Philadelphia, Pa.
Selected From: Boston Breakers
What She Brings to the Team: Even though Evans is listed as a midfielder, she can be used as a utility player by Head Coach Tom Sermanni. Evans played extensively for the Boston Breakers since inception in 2013. The Penn State product has proved during her nearly 50 appearances that she is capable of making an immediate impact for the expansion side.
9. Aubrey Bledsoe
Position: Goalkeeper
College: Wake Forest
Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio
Selected From: Sky Blue FC
What She Brings to the Team: At 23 years old, Bledsoe is just at the beginning of her promising career. She showed her potential while at Wake Forest and has the ability to continue that progression in the NWSL. Bledsoe will have the opportunity to work with Ashlyn Harris, which will be a positive influence to her career.
