If Andi Sullivan declares for the draft she will be taken No. 1 by the Washington Spirit. Credit: Stanford Photo
The Washington Spirit intend to make Hermann Trophy Award winner Andi Sullivan the first pick in Thursday’s draft—if she enters. NWSL has released partial lists of players who have entered the draft and as of the most recent list, Sullivan had yet to join the party.
Asked if he intended to take Sullivan with the first pick, Spirit coach Jim Gabarra said: “Yeah if she’s in the draft…”
This will be the 13th women’s professional soccer draft encompassing the three leagues and Gabarra has been part of all of them. This is the first time he is armed with the top selection. And while Sullivan is a slam dunk with the top pick, Gabarra admits he has a backup plan just in case.
“Gotta have a (backup) plan,” he said. “But I don’t think it will come to that. But we’lll see. Crazy stuff happens. I haven’t heard confirmation that she’s in the draft. We’ve done lots of work on it. I’m thinking positive that that’s what she wants to do.
“Until you have conversations and everything is settled, there is a process with the national tam and getting an agent and all that other stuff. Just like all the trades and stuff, it’s all been pushed back right up against the draft. It’s going to be an interesting week. Could be a lot of fireworks.”
The league will announce the final list of eligible players ahead of Thursday’s draft.
