Portland Thorns add top college talent with No. 1 and No. 2 overall picks in college draft

Thursday was a big one for the Portland Thorns.  The club already had the number one overall pick in the NWSL College Draft, acquiring it via trade with Orlando Pride in a blockbuster deal last week that saw former top overall pick Emily Sonnett head to Orlando.

Then, the Thorns acquired the number two overall selection as well in a big trade with Chicago in the moments leading up to the start of the draft.

With the two top overall picks, Portland selected some of the best collegiate talent the NCAA has to offer, and both players hail from the Pac-12 Conference.

With the No.1 overall pick, the Thorns took Sophia Smith, a forward from Stanford University.

Congratulations @sophsssmith, the first teenager to be drafted into the @NWSL 👏

Here’s what she can do – time for a #TBT from the 2018 #U20WWC ✨pic.twitter.com/HuzN2Im2TI

— FIFA Women’s World Cup (@FIFAWWC) January 16, 2020

“I went for it and followed my heart.”@sophsssmith talks about her decision to turn pro. #NWSLDraft #BAONPDX pic.twitter.com/JzieJaLMhK

— Portland Thorns FC (@ThornsFC) January 16, 2020

Then with the second overall selection, the Thorns acquired Washington State University forward Morgan Weaver.

With the #2 overall pick in the 2020 #NWSLDraft, we’ve selected Morgan Weaver.

Welcome to the Thorns, @morgan_weaver8! 🌹 #BAONPDX pic.twitter.com/XjhMFvYffn

— Portland Thorns FC (@ThornsFC) January 16, 2020

Big day in the NWSL. Seeing these young women get drafted and live their professional dreams is moving. We have an obligation to get this league right. Still work to do but there has been lots of NWSL progress.

Congrats to all the draftees (esp @sophsssmith @morgan_weaver8)!!

— Merritt Paulson (@MerrittPaulson) January 16, 2020

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