Three Alabama Soccer Players Selected in NWSL Draft
1/12/2023 9:39:00 PM | Soccer
Reyna Reyes was selected by the Portland Thorns FC, while Riley Tanner was pick by the Washington Spirit and Riley Mattingly Parker was picked by Racing Louisville FC
PHILADELPHIA – The fifth overall draft pick of Reyna Reyes by the Portland Thorns FC highlighted a trio of Alabama soccer players drafted to the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) at the Pennsylvania Convention Center Thursday night. In addition to Reyes' first round selection, Riley Tanner and Riley Mattingly Parker went as back-to-back picks in the third round with Tanner being selected 30th overall by the Washington Spirit and Parker picked 31st by Racing Louisville FC.
Alabama was one of three teams to have three players selected in the draft joining Duke and Florida State. Additionally, UA is the first Southeastern Conference team to have three players selected since 2015 and just the third team to have at least three players picked in a NWSL draft in conference history.
Reyna Reyes – Defender
Round 1 | Pick 5 | Portland Thorns FC
- First Alabama player selected in the first round of the NWSL draft, being picked fifth by the Portland Thorns FC
- First defender selected in the draft
- Was selected as a 2022 Honda Award finalist and MAC Hermann Trophy semifinalist
- A 2022 United Soccer Coaches All-American first team honoree
- Named the 2022 SEC Defender of the Year
- Three-Time First Team All-SEC selection
- Two-time USC All-Region first team recipient and two-time third-team honoree
- Named to the 2022 College Cup All-Tournament Team
- Anchored the Crimson Tide backline to program records in shutouts (12) and wins (23)
- Despite playing on the defensive end of the field, she was tied for third on the team in goals with eight this season
- Scored 16 goals and tallied five assists over her career for 37 points
- Four-year starter, playing in 79 games with the Tide
- Member of the 2021 Mexican National Team
Riley Tanner – Midfielder
Round 3 | Pick 30 | Washington Spirit
- Selected by the Washington Spirit as the 30th overall pick in the draft
- 2022 Second Team All-SEC
- 2022 United Soccer Coaches All-Region second team honoree
- Ranks fourth all-time at Alabama in single-season assists (8) and eighth all-time in single-season game-winning goals (3)
- Tallied eight assists during the 2022 season ranking 34th nationally
- Scored the game-winning goal over Auburn last year
- Assisted the game-winning goal against No. 5 South Carolina, Texas A&M and No. 20 Ole Miss during the 2022 season
- Finished her career at Alabama with eight goals, 11 assists and 27 points
- Including her time at South Carolina, she tallied 15 goals, 14 assists and 44 points
- Invited to the 2022 Panama National Team training camp
Riley Mattingly Parker – Forward
Round 3 | Pick 31 | Racing Louisville FC
- Selected by Racing Louisville FC as the 31st overall pick in the draft
- Named a 2022 MAC Hermann Trophy semifinalist
- A 2022 United Soccer Coaches All-American first team honoree
- 2022 SEC Forward of the Year and SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year
- Alabama record holder for single-season goals (17), points (41) and game-winning goals (7) in 2022
- Tied the UA record in career game-winning goals (10)
- Led the nation in game-winning goals (7) and ranked sixth in both total goals (17) and total points (41) this past season
- Ranks 16th nationally in goals per game, averaging 0.65 for the 2022 season
- Two-time All-SEC honoree, earning first-team honors in 2022 and second-team honors in 2020
- Recorded 25 goals, 13 assists and 63 points over her career
Get all the latest information on the team by following @AlabamaSoccer?on Twitter and Facebook and?AlabamaSoccer?on Instagram. General athletic news can also be found at UA_Athletics on Twitter and Instagram and?AlabamaAthletics?on Facebook.
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