FILIPINAS goalkeeper Kiara Fontanilla is trying her hand at pro football in the US as she is among 236 entrants in the 2024 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) draft happening Friday (Saturday, Manila time).
Fontanilla, who has nine caps for the Philippine women’s national football team, most recently played with the Central Coast Mariners FC in New South Wales’ League One Women’s.
Kiara: It's a big honor
“So I’m in the @nwsl draft on Friday. Would be absolutely crazy to get an opportunity in this league.” wrote the Filipinas player on Instagram.
“I’m up against some big time competition. No matter what happens next, I consider it a big honor just to be mentioned in the same breath with these phenomenal athletes. Here’s hoping for the best!” she added.
Fontanilla was part of the Filipinas team that won the AFF Women’s Championship in Manila back in 2022. She was also part of the squad at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Her college career featured a stint with the NCAA Division II team Northwestern Oklahoma State Rangers.
Fil-Am Maya Doms is also in the draft
Apart from Fontanilla, Filipino-American Maya Doms is also among the entrants. She played for Stanford University as a midfielder.
Doms, who represented Team USA in their youth teams, is a projected Top 5 pick in Friday’s (Saturday) draft.
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