2024 NWSL Draft: Orlando Pride Select UCF Midfielder Talia Gabarra at No. 56

The Orlando Pride wrapped up the 2024 NWSL Draft by selecting UCF midfielder Talia Gabarra with the 56th and final pick of the night. The daughter of former USWNT forward Carin Jennings-Gabarra played four seasons for the Knights and will remain in Orlando with the Pride.

Gabarra is the third player from UCF taken by the Pride in nine years. Previously, Konya Plummer was taken in 2020 and Kristen Scott in 2023. Plummer only made seven appearances in all competitions for the Pride and Scott never signed with the team.

Originally from Annapolis, MD, Gabarra made 40 appearances with 18 starts for UCF, recording 2,023 minutes, two goals, and five assists. She took 17 shots in her college career, putting six on target (35.3%). This past season, Gabarra played in 14 games with 12 starts, recording a career-high 965 minutes and an assist.

As a freshman, Gabarra got off to a hot start, claiming a goal and an assist in her collegiate debut. She played in six games during her sophomore year with one start and played in all 16 games of her junior year with five starts.

The 2022 season should’ve been a breakout year for the midfielder, but she suffered a season-ending injury during preseason, keeping her out for the year. It was her second major injury after she tore her ACL in 2018 while playing for the Washington Spirit U-19 academy team. She rebounded well this past season, playing in 10 of the team’s 14 regular season games and both Big 12 Championship tournament games.

Gabarra comes from a successful soccer household as her mother won the Golden Boot at the 1991 FIFA Women’s World Cup for the United States Women’s National Team as the competition’s best player. Her father is former professional player Jim Gabarra, who coached several women’s professional teams, including the NWSL’s Sky Blue FC and the Spirit.

What It Means for Orlando

This pick might surprise people because there were higher-rated players still available. However, this isn’t the first time the Pride have taken a flier on a UCF graduate, picking one just last season with their final fourth round selection. Scott didn’t end up with the Pride in 2023 and it would be a surprise to see Gabarra do so.

The deep-lying midfielder does have the ability to send long balls and play her teammates behind back lines. She can find space to shoot and has scored in the past, but is more likely to set up an attack or send her teammates in on goal. Injuries are a concern with a player like Gabarra, who has had two major ones, but the Pride roster is deep enough to take the risk.

Making the NWSL roster in 2024 will be a tough task for the young midfielder because the Pride have made several similar signings this off-season. But this could be a player to train with the team and potentially sign on a short-term deal when the internationals are away.

Here are some highlights of Gabarra’s time at UCF: