FRISCO, Texas (Jan. 12, 2023) – Former FC Dallas Girls Academy player and University of Alabama defender Reyna Reyes was selected fifth overall by Portland Thorns FC in the 2023 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) Draft presented by Ally.
Reyes, 21, spent four seasons at the University of Alabama where she started 79 games, scored 15 goals and added five assists. During her time playing for the Crimson Tide, Reyes collected notable accomplishments including First Team All SEC (2019, 2021, 2022), United Soccer Coaches All-Region First Team (2021, 2022), USC All-Region Third Team (2019, 2020), All SEC Freshmen Team (2019), and USC Scholar All-America Second Team (2021).
“It was super emotional, I literally couldn’t keep the tears back,” Reyes said. “I’m just so happy and excited. When I heard my name being announced it was like ‘ah, it happened’. To have my family here and everyone supporting is amazing. And FC Dallas built my foundation and I’m so grateful for that.”
In 2022, during her senior season, Reyes helped Alabama reach the Semifinals of the College Cup and was named in the College Cup All-Tournament Team. She was included in the USC All-American First Team and was a 2022 MAC Hermann Trophy Semifinalist as well as a Finalist for the 2022 Honda Award for Soccer. Reyes was also recognized as SEC Defender of the Year for 2022.
Internationally, Reyes has made four appearances for the senior Mexico National Team. At the youth level, she was part of Mexico’s 2016 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup squad as the youngest member of the team. She also helped Mexico reach the final of the 2018 FIFA U-17s Women’s World Cup in Uruguay.
A Garland, Texas native, Reyes joined FC Dallas’ youth system as a 6-year-old and played for the club for 12 years. She was part of FC Dallas’ U-16 Girls Academy team that won the ECNL National Championship in 2017. Reyes is the second consecutive FC Dallas youth product selected in the first round of the NWSL Draft after Diana Ordoñez was chosen sixth overall by North Carolina Courage in 2022. Ordoñez is a fellow member of the Mexico National Team and was named to the NWSL Best XI Second Team following her rookie season. FC Dallas has had at least one player involved in the last three NWSL Drafts. Addie McCain, 23, was chosen 17th overall in 2021 by the Kansas City Current out of Texas A&M after spending 11 years with FC Dallas during her youth.
“Seeing Reyna drafted is super exciting,” Ordoñez said. “I know how I felt this time last year, it’s a really anxious time. But to not only get picked but to go in the top five is incredible, I’m super happy for her and she really deserves it. I think this speaks volumes about Matt (Grubb, FC Dallas Girls Academy Director) and the program as a whole. A lot of development happens in the early years and I think that’s a big testament to FC Dallas and the players they’re developing.”
