FOUR COLORADO PLAYERS GET DRAFTED IN 2020 NWSL COLLEGE DRAFT & MLS DRAFT
Sophia Smith was the #1 Overall Draft Pick at the 2020 National Women’s Soccer League College Draft. Photo/NWSL
By Javier Arellano | jarellano@coloradosoccer.org | Jan. 17, 2020 at 1:45 pm
BALTIMORE, MD — Only thirty-six college women soccer players had the opportunity to continue their soccer careers and get drafted by professional teams. From those thirty-six, Colorado was fortunate enough to have three local players get the call.
Sophia Smith playing for Real Colorado. Photo/ Real Colorado
Sophia Smith | Portland Thorns (NWSL) | #1 Overall Draft Pick
One day prior to the 2020 NWSL College Draft, Sophia Smith posted on social media about her decision to leave school early and enter the draft. “After much thought and many conversations with people close to me, I have decided to take the next step in my career and turn professional”, she posted. The following day, Smith would turn out to be the #1 Overall Draft Pick selected by the Portland Thorns.
While only a Sophomore at soccer powerhouse Stanford University, Smith played a big role in their most recent NCAA Women’s College Cup, scoring 8 goals and assisting 4 in the post-season tournament alone. She was named 2019 College Cup’s Most Outstanding Offensive Player & College Cup All-Tournament, these being two of her numerous achievements in her short collegiate career. As a Cardinal, Sophia made the 2018 Pac-12 All-Freshman team, 2018 & 2019 Pac-12 Second team and 2019 MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List.
During her club days, Smith started kicking the ball at Fort Collins-based Arsenal Colorado, where she played until 2014 before making the switch to Real Colorado. Since age 14, she has been involved with the United States at all youth national team levels from U14-U23, including the U17 World Cup Qualifiers in Grenada, Spain. Recently, Sophia was called into the Senior United States Women’s National Team on November 27 & December 27, 2019.
Ally Watt played for Pride Soccer Club in Colorado Springs since age 5. This is her first soccer photo taken in 2003. Photo/Pride SC
Ally Watt | North Carolina Courage (NWSL) | Round 1 | #6 Overall Draft Pick
Two-Time All-American Ally Watt was selected #6 overall in the College Draft by reigning NWSL Champions, North Carolina Courage. The Pride SC alumni finished a stellar college career at Texas A&M University which also included an SEC All-Freshman Team in 2015, SEC All-Tournament in 2017 and 2018, SEC All-First Team in 2017,2018 and 2019, SEC Forward of the Year her Senior season, among several other All-Southeast Region recognitions. Ally is also a two-time Mac Hermann Trophy Semifinalist. Throughout her career as an Aggie, Watt scored a total of 49 goals with 12 assists featuring in 90 games with 79 of those in the Starting XI.
During her Sophomore year in 2016, Watt decided to redshirt not because of injury or ineligibility, but because she would go on to play in the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in Papua New Guinea. During the tournament, Ally scored two goals in five matches, including an equalizer as a substitution against Mexico coming on in the 73rd minute and scoring eighth minutes later. That goal earned her the FIFA Player of the Match honor, helping the U20’s advance to semifinals.
As a youth player, Watt fell in love with the game in Colorado Springs playing for Pride SC since age 5, all the way up to their W-League team during the summer. She competed and won in various Colorado tournaments, including State Cup and earning MVP honors in 2011 (U15) and in 2014 (U18). Ally also participated in the Colorado ODP team since 2010.
Ally Watt playing for Colorado Pride at the 2015 W-League Championship game against Washington Spirit. The summer developmental league helped her improve her game and stay active during the offseason. Photo/ Pride SC
Cheyenne Shorts | Orlando Pride (NWSL) | Round 3 | Pick 3 | #21 Overall Draft Pick
Cheyenne Shorts had a brilliant career as a Pioneer, earning 2019 Summit League Defensive Player of the Year. Photo/Denver Pioneers
Photo/ Denver Pioneers
After playing for Colorado Storm and the Colorado Olympic Development program, Shorts was recruited by Denver University. Shorts found success at DU, where she played in 69 career matches and started 68 of them, tallying 7 assists as a Pioneer. A Summit League All-Freshman selection in 2016, Shorts concluded her career as the 2019 Summit League Defensive Player of the Year, 2019 Summit League All-West Region First Team, Summit League First Team in 2018 & 2019. Cheyenne also helped Denver win two Summit League titles and make two NCAA tournament appearances in 2017 & 2018.
Shorts will be stepping into an Orlando Pride defense that allowed 53 goals in 2019, averaging 2.20 goals allowed per game.
Jaret Townsend | Sporting KC (MLS) | Round 3 | Pick 6 | #58 Overall Draft Pick
Jaret Townsend playing for Washington in an exhibition match on August 21, 2019. Photo/ Washington Huskies
Jaret Townsend playing for Real Colorado. Photo/ Real Colorado
Jaret Townsend, a product of Real Colorado, was drafted by Major League Soccer’s Sporting Kansas City on Monday, January 13th. The midfielder was picked 58th Overall after wrapping up his collegiate career at Washington. As a Senior, Townsend scored 7 goals and added 1 assist, leading the Huskies to an NCAA Quarterfinal finish in 2019. During his four-year career, Jaret tallied a total of 3,311 minutes in 75 games, with 42 starts, and scored 9 goals with 6 assists. Townsend becomes the third Colorado youth player to get drafted by Sporing Kansas City in the last five years, joining Amadou Dia (2015 MLS Draft, Clemson University; Real Colorado) and Graham Smith (2018 MLS Draft, Denver University; Real Colorado), who are currently rostered for the 2020 MLS Season.