On a whirlwind day at the 2020 NWSL College Draft, the Washington Spirit ended up selecting five players, adding forwards Ashley Sanchez and Katie McClure, the versatile Natalie Jacobs, midfielder Averie Collins, and defender Kaiya McCullough. They also made headlines by completing the day’s biggest trade, sending USWNT winger Mallory Pugh to Sky Blue FC for several draft picks.
Entering the day with only the 23rd and 32nd overall picks, the Spirit manufactured a huge trade that became official about 15 minutes after the event’s start. Sky Blue sent the 4th, 13th, and 17th overall picks in this year’s draft, as well as a 1st round pick in next year’s draft, to Washington in exchange for Pugh.