Orlando Pride has signed midfielder Abby Elinsky, forward Christine Creighton and 2018 NWSL College Draft pick Nádia Gomes as National Team Replacement players ahead of Saturday’s match against the Washington Spirit.
Elinsky, 22, played at the University of North Carolina prior to being drafted in the third round of the 2018 NWSL College Draft by the Houston Dash. She joined Orlando in preseason earlier this month. The midfielder scored three goals and added five assists in 52 appearances during her three years with the Tar Heels. The Rocky River, Ohio, native played her freshman year at the University of Illinois where she played in all 20 matches and was selected to the All-Big Ten Freshman team.
Raised in Haverhill, Fla., Creighton played her junior and senior year at the University of Central Florida, scoring three goals in 23 matches for the Knights. The 21-year-old spent her first two years at the University of Tennessee where she appeared in 27 matches, tallying three goals and two assists.
Gomes, 21, played at Brigham Young University prior to being drafted by Orlando with the 23rd overall pick. As a Cougar, Gomes scored 23 goals and added 23 assists in 83 appearances. Gomes received her first national team appearance for Portugal earlier this month during the 2018 Algarve Cup and scored her first goal on March 7, lifting her team to victory over Australia to finish third in the tournament.
National Team Replacement Players can be signed when a National Team Player is away on international duty. They do not count against the team’s 20-player roster limit. Currently, Orlando’s Alanna Kennedy and Emily van Egmond are on duty with Australia and Marta, Monica and Poliana are with Brazil as both countries get set to begin 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup Qualifying.