Orlando Pride selected Nádia Gomes from Brigham Young University in the third round (No. 23 overall) in the 2018 National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) College Draft.
“We’re really delighted with being able to get Nádia,” Pride Head Coach Tom Sermanni said. “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.”
Gomes, 21, tallied 23 goals and 23 assists in four seasons at BYU. In her freshman year, Gomes scored three goals and added three assists in 21 substitute appearances before starting all 62 games in her sophomore, junior and senior seasons.
Born in Portugal, Gomes also holds United States citizenship and will not require an international roster spot. On the international stage, Gomes represented Portugal at the UEFA U-19 Women’s Championship, where she started five of her six appearances and scored two goals as a defender.
"If you see our squad and how we play, [versatility] is really more important," Sermanni added. "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 thinks fits best. I think Nádia is that kind of player."
The Pride finished the 2017 NWSL season, the team’s second in the league, in third place and booked its first playoff appearance. Orlando begins 2018 preseason on Feb. 19 with the regular season kicking off the weekend of Mar. 24-25. 2018 Pride season tickets are available at orlando-pride.com/tickets or by calling (855) ORL-CITY.
Nádia Gomes
Pronunciation: GOHms
Position: Forward
Height: 5-6
Born: November 9, 1996 in Viseu, Portugal
Hometown: Sandy, Utah
College: Brigham Young University
Citizenship: Portugal, USA
Acquired: Selected No. 23 Overall in the 2018 NWSL College Draft
