About two weeks ago, Virginia Tech women’s soccer alum Mandy McGlynn reported for preseason camp with Sky Blue FC. McGlynn and her teammates were working towards the start of the National Women’s Soccer League season, but all that changed due to current events and the worldwide pandemic. However, her thoughts approaching the preseason camp and moving forward when Sky Blue returns to action have not.
1 Photo courtesy of VT Athletics – Former Virginia Tech soccer player Mandy McGlynn headed to New Jersey for preseason camp just before the worldwide pandemic struck.
McGlynn’s dreams apparently came true back in January when she heard her name called at the 2020 NWSL draft. McGlynn was selected with the second pick of the third round (No. 20 overall) by Sky Blue FC. She became just the second Hokie to be drafted and was the only goalkeeper selected in the draft.
"I think I blacked out a little bit," McGlynn said. "I did not think my name was going to be called, and once it happened I was just like ‘Oh, my gosh.’
"In the whole time leading up, I was worried about giving a speech, so the whole time I was writing a speech on my phone,” McGlynn said. “When it was my time (when she heard her name), now I had to go up there and give my speech. It was just so crazy going up there and shaking the lady’s hand. Giving that speech was everything I ever dreamt of and more. Walking off the stage I met the head coach, I did a bunch of interviews and I immediately felt like a professional."
Before the season was halted, Blue Sky was set to play all of its home matches at Red Bull Arena sharing the soccer specific venue in Harrison, N.J., with the New York Red Bulls of Major League Soccer. The club was to share the Red Bull’s practice facility.
"It’s so exciting and it’s just so promising for women’s sports in general," McGlynn said at the time of the draft. "We’re getting the same things the men are getting and it’s very exciting. I can’t wait to step foot in that arena."
Prior to her departure for New Jersey, McGlynn was in Blacksburg getting ready, anticipating getting to work with the team and embracing any role that she was given.
"I believe it’s just going to be adapting and learning how to be a professional athlete and pushing others around me," McGlynn said before she left for New Jersey. "I’m not just going to be the typical rookie and just roll over. I want to really shoot for that No. 2 spot and push Kailen Sheridan everyday especially when she leaves for the Olympics. I think that’s going to be my role, stepping up and seeing a game or two and seeing how that feels."
Sheridan is the current No. 1 goalkeeper for Sky Blue FC, and she was seen as having the potential to play for the Canadian National Team in the Olympics. That would have opened the door for McGlynn to see some playing time. Tuesday the announcement was made that the Olympics have been delayed a year.
"Just to grind every day and push the goalkeepers around me. I want to be seen not just as a rookie but as a good player and a respected player," McGlynn said before she left Blacksburg. "My expectations are to push the field players as well and maybe if I’m traveling and not playing and just being a good teammate, having an impactful role not being on the field."
But all those thoughts, plans, hopes and dreams were a part of McGlynn’s life before the coronavirus crisis. The NWSL has extended its training and has announced it will delay the start of the season, which was scheduled for April 18. Sky Blue FC was originally set to kick off the season on Sunday, April 19, against the Orlando Pride.
McGlynn is currently socially distancing herself along with two of her drafted teammates, Kaleigh Riehl (from Penn State) and Evelyne Viens (from South Florida), in a team apartment in New Jersey. Sky Blue is helping the players stay in game shape by sending them workout plans and they are also being proactive by keeping the players informed on updates and announcements.
"They have an exercise physiologist that sends us workouts we can do at home and we also go to a local track to stay as fit as we can," McGlynn said. "I’m also doing a lot of individual work. I’m mainly working on technical skills with my feet, because we can’t work out with big groups or do goalkeeper training.
"This is such a unique situation. I would never have thought of something like this,” McGlynn said. “My roommates and I were talking about things like not having a rookie season. It‘s just crazy thoughts you never thought you’d have to deal with. I feel really supported by the team, the staff and my roommates, and the NWSL. They are doing a great job of keeping us informed and keeping us safe. They are checking in on us every morning and being really protective of us and we’re staying as unified as much as we can be."
For now, like the rest of the world, McGlynn waits as she continues to work towards the next stepping stone in her career goals.
"I want to thank Hokie Nation for all their support throughout my four years in Blacksburg and all I ask is for you to continue your support in my professional career,” McGlynn said. “It would mean everything. Go Sky Blue!"
