Three Soccer Players Selected in WUSA Draft
Monday, December 11, 2000 | Soccer
Three former University of Florida soccer players were selected Sunday afternoon in the inaugural draft of the Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA). The draft began Sunday after a five-day combine comprising of more than 170 players was held last week at Florida Atlantic University.
The three former Gators that participated in the combine were drafted in the opening five rounds. Heather Mitts (Cincinnati, Ohio), who finished her UF career in 1999 as a two-time All-American at defender, was selected by the Philadelphia Charge in the second round (15th selection overall).
Erin Baxter (Littleton, Colo.) was selected by the Carolina Tempest in the fourth round (27th selection overall). Baxter, the 1997 Southeastern Conference Player of the Year, was a three-time All-American at midfield for the Gators. She will join former Gator Danielle Fotopoulos on the Carolina Tempest squad. As a member of the U.S.'s 1999 World Cup Championship team, Fotopoulos is among the 20 founding players for the WUSA. Fotopoulos finished her collegiate career as the all-time NCAA Division I goals (118) and points (284) leader. She and Baxter were the captains of the Gators' 1998 NCAA Championship squad.
Also selected in Sunday's draft was 1999 SEC Player of the Year Sarah Yohe (Maitland, Fla.). Yohe earned All-America honors at forward as a senior in 1999. She was selected in the fifth round (35th selection overall) and will join Mitts on the Philadelphia Charge team.
The WUSA will launch next April in eight team markets: Atlanta, Bay Area, Carolina, Boston, New York, Philadelphia, San Diego and Washington D.C. The WUSA will feature practically all of the members of the 1999 World Cup Champion and 2000 silver medal winning-team. WUSA's founding players are: Michelle Akers, Brandi Chastain, Tracy Ducar, Lorrie Fair, Joy Fawcett, Danielle Fotopoulos, Julie Foudy, Mia Hamm, Kristine Lilly, Shannon MacMillan, Tiffeny Milbrett, Carla Overbeck, Cindy Parlow, Christie Pearce, Tiffany Roberts, Briana Scurry, Kate Sobrero, Tisha Venturini, Saskia Webber, and Sara Whalen.
