The Orlando Pride opened their 2021 NWSL Draft by selecting UCLA midfielder Viviana Villacorta in the first round with the ninth overall pick. Villacorta becomes just the fourth first-round pick by the Pride, following Sam Witteman in 2016 and Taylor Kornieck and Courtney Petersen in 2020, as Orlando had traded away its first-round pick in 2016, 2017, and 2018. Villacorta will add a dynamic player to the Pride’s attack.
“I’m so excited. I’m so honored to be a part of this awesome team with amazing players,” Villacorta said via Zoom after being selected. “It’s an honor playing with [Marta and Alex Morgan].