This past December the NWSL draft held its 10th annual college draft where teams have a pick or more through 4 rounds of selections. During the draft, FC Copa Academy alumnus, Sydney Cummings was selected with the 42nd pick by Racing Louisville, a club that is going into their second season in the NWSL.
Sydney is the first player to be selected to the NWSL out of Brown University and also played her last season at Georgetown University, helping them win the Big East Conference Final and was named Big East Defensive Player of the Year in 2021. She looks forward to solidifying the backline for Racing just like she has for Copa over the years.
When Sydney talked to members of the club about being selected she stated, “I came to Copa when I was 13, so I grew up here. When I think of my time in the academy, it helped me grow as a person, as a leader, and as a student. I was always surrounded by the best people who pushed me to reach my full potential. That is why I’ve come back year after year. Copa prepared me for what I would see on the field and helped me become who I wanted to be off the field.”
Roberto Aguas, FC Copa Academy President and Executive Director of Coaching talked about his excitement for Sydney saying, “it has been a true pleasure watching Sydney grow into who she has become - as a player, but also as a woman and role model for our Academy. She has always been focused on becoming better, learning, and then executing on the field. Since she was young, her goals have been high and she has put in the extra effort, doing whatever was necessary to reach great heights: Brown University, Georgetown University, and now being to the NWSL. We are very proud and also excited to watch her continue to impact the world.”
Sydney’s winter looks to be busy as she is looking forward to the potential of participating in CONCACAF WCQ in February and April representing Guyana as they look to move into the next stages of Qualifying for the Women’s World Cup in 2023 that will be hosted by Australia and New Zealand.
From all of us in the Copa community, we look forward to watching Sydney at the next level and wish her nothing but the best as she looks towards the future in professional and international soccer.