Jill Ellis took over the San Diego NWSL Twitter account yesterday, answering fan questions, including one about who she views as key “up-and-comers” in the league.
Here’s two players that have caught my eye.What about you guys? - JE https://t.co/aAdUQk0Z28 pic.twitter.com/0WRJT2Su5j— San Diego (@SanDiegoNWSL) July 15, 2021
Here’s two players that have caught my eye.What about you guys? - JE https://t.co/aAdUQk0Z28 pic.twitter.com/0WRJT2Su5j
“I think there’s some tremendous new players in the league,” she said. “Just off the top of my head players that have made [an] immediate impact, Sophia Smith up at Portland, Trinity Rodman in D.C. [are] two players that right out of the gate have really been exceptional.”
Rodman has started in eight of nine games in her rookie campaign and at just 18-years-old is already turning heads. She’s currently second on the Spirit in scoring with two goals and two assists.
Meanwhile, 2019 No. 1 overall draft pick Smith currently sits fourth in scoring on the Thorns with two goals in seven games. She was part of the USWNT forwards group that traveled to Houston for the Summer Series and from which the Olympic roster was picked.
San Diego will be featured in the next expansion draft and begin play in 2022.