Virginia’s Emily Sonnett selected No.1 by Thorns in NWSL draft

Virginia’s Emily Sonnett was selected by the Portland Thorns with the No. 1 pick in NWSL draft on Friday.

University of Virginia defender Emily Sonnett was selected by the Portland Thorns with the No. 1 pick in NWSL draft on Friday.

Sonnett, a 5'7'' native of Marietta, Ga., has made four appearances and one start for the U.S. women’s national team since being called up in October.

The 22-year-old was a first team All America selection for the Cavaliers in 2015, as well as the ACC defensive player of the year and one of three finalists for the Hermann Trophy, granted to the country’s top player.

Sky Blue FC chose Penn State midfielder Raquel Rodriguez, the Hermann Trophy winner, with the draft’s second pick. Rodriguez played for Costa Rica in last summer’s World Cup.

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The NWSL season begins in April.​

Click here to see all 40 picks in Friday’s draft.

- Kayla Lombardo