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Sky Blue FC drafted defender Miranda “Mandy” Freeman as their second pick in the first round at the 2017 NWSL Draft held at the JW Marriott in Los Angeles, CA.
With the no. 10 overall pick in the 2017 NWSL Draft, Sky Blue FC has selected Southern California defender Miranda Freeman. #NWSLDraft
— Sky Blue FC (@SkyBlueFC) January 12, 2017
Freeman, a University of Southern California center back, will help strengthen Sky Blue’s defense in the upcoming 2017 season. Freeman is strong pick given she helped USC earn 17 shutouts and win the NCAA Championship in 2016. For her performance with USC, she was named the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year.
The Trojan played 89 games for USC and scored two goals, both during her junior season in 2015. Her goals both came when she played as a holding midfielder during the 2015 season. Since then she has enhanced her skills as a center back.
Congrats @x_Mandii! 10th overall pick in the @NWSL Draft! Joins teammate Kayla Mills in New Jersey with @SkyBlueFC! 3 Trojans in 1st Rd! pic.twitter.com/RF3wZ8fKDR
— USC Women's Soccer (@USC_WSoccer) January 12, 2017
Freeman was recently called up to the USWNT U-23s which does not come as a surprise as she has been involved with the youth national teams since joining the U-14. Freeman will join fellow Trojan Kayla Mills at Yurcak this season as Mills was Sky Blue’s first pick and number four overall. With the Sky Blue’s first two pick being defender leaves speculation around Christie Rampone and her future with the team.