2020 NWSL Draft: Orlando Pride Select UCF Defender Konya Plummer at No. 10

With the first pick of the second round (No. 10 overall), the Orlando Pride selected Konya Plummer from the University of Central Florida. The UCF product is the first Jamaican player drafted to the NWSL.

Plummer only played in 25 games for UCF but was named the American Athletic Conference Defensive of the Year in 2019. As a senior, the Jamican played and started in 16 games. She played at least a full 90 minutes in 15 of those matches, including four overtime matches. While on the field for the Knights, UCF only allowed seven goals.

Plummer was also the captain for Jamaica, as the Reggae Girlz became the first Caribbean nation to qualify for the Women’s World Cup. She played all 270 minutes and was the youngest ever team captain. The 22-year-old has 20 total international caps and one goal.

What it Means for Orlando

Marc Skinner gets another international player, and a “local” one at that too, as she’s already familiar with Orlando. The 5-foot-8 native of Epsom, St. Mary, Jamaica should have time to get acclimated into the league behind a back line that was largely culpable for allowing the most goals in the NWSL last year. Jamaica could still qualify for the 2020 Olympics and so there will be a chance that the Pride will be without her during the summer. If Jamaica does not qualify then she could likely start on the back line with Ali Krieger and Emily Sonnett out.

Orlando selected Courtney Petersen with the seventh pick in the draft and so the Pride are obviously looking to bring in more competition on the defense. Plummer should provide that competition and will at least be good depth. She also brings amazing leadership skills with her and should be an ideal player that Skinner is trying to build his team around.