2020 NWSL Draft: Orlando Pride Select Bowling Green Midfielder Chelsee Washington at No. 30

The Orlando Pride selected midfielder Chelsee Washington from Bowling Green State University with the third pick of the fourth round and the 30th pick overall of the 2020 NWSL College Draft. The selection of Washington finishes a busy draft for the Pride, in which Orlando made a club record seven selections.

After growing up in Carrollton, TX, Washington made her way up to Ohio to play at Bowling Green. She quickly became a starter for the team, starting 18 games during her freshman season. She was relegated to the bench for her sophomore season, but still played in 21 games — two more than she did her freshman year. After a year as a sub, she was back in the starting lineup for her junior season, starting 22 games. She started all 23 games during her senior year for the Falcons.

The midfielder started slow on the offensive end, scoring one goal during her freshman year and three during her sophomore year. As an upperclassman, her offensive output increased significantly. She scored nine goals during her junior year and eight during her senior year. Her number of assists also increased as she gained experience. After recording four assists and one assist during her freshman and sophomore years, respectively, she became a focal point of the attack. She recorded nine assists in both her junior and senior years at Bowling Green. In total, she scored 21 goals and recorded 23 assists in 85 appearances for the Falcons.

Washington acquired plenty of accolades during her junior and senior seasons at Bowling Green. In 2018, she was named to the All-MAC First Team and the United Soccer Coaches All-Midwest Region Second Team. She improved on that during her senior year, being named to the All-MAC First Team and United Soccer Coaches All-Midwest Region First Team, and she was named the MAC Offensive Player of the Year.

What It Means for Orlando

After using the first few rounds to build depth on the back line, the selection of Washington gives the Pride a rookie with some offensive prowess. Washington can be a dangerous player going forward into the attack and can help on that front while several Pride players are away on international duty should she make the team.

Here is a look at what Washington can do: