Defender Erin Simon’s path to professional soccer was not your typical. Simon, a New Jersey native, was not part of an NWSL Draft. Instead, after a successful four years at Syracuse University, she headed to open tryouts in 2016.
“Actually, I tried out at Orlando [Pride] first and that was my first ever tryout. I was so nervous,” Simon admitted to HoustonDashSoccer.com. “I was like, ‘I’m just going to give it my best,’ and I enjoyed the entire experience.”
She impressed the coaching staff at Orlando and was invited to preseason. The defender set her mind on Orlando, but two months later, when Sky Blue FC’s tryouts rolled around, the New Jersey native in her just had to take her shot.