Two of the world’s best women’s soccer players hail from Colorado, as midfielder Lindsey Horan and striker Mallory Pugh have cemented themselves as bonafide stars.

Jordan DiBiasi, Pugh’s future NWSL teammate, could soon be on that list. DiBiasi’s molded her soccer journey after Horan, a fellow Colorado Rush alum who is three years her senior.

“I was there from the very beginning with Lindsey, so to see her work ethic and passion over the years and the risks she took to chase her dreams have really inspired me,” DiBiasi said. “I’ve tried to resemble that work ethic, and embody it because I knew from a young age she was going to be really special.”

In 2012, Horan became the first American female player to skip college and turn pro straight out of high school before eventually going on to become one of the main faces of the U.S. Women’s National Team along with the wunderkind Pugh, a Real Colorado product. DiBiasi, a Littleton native and Chatfield graduate, was selected No. 3 overall out of Stanford by the Washington Spirit in the recent NWSL draft.

For as Horan and Pugh were on their respective meteoric rises in the soccer world, DiBiasi was evolving into a potent player in her own right, first with Rush and then with the Cardinal. In four seasons at Stanford the midfielder tallied 31 goals and 23 assists while becoming a centerpiece of a program that won the 2017 national title and reeled off a 45-match unbeaten streak.

The U-23 national team member’s final season at Stanford ended with a loss to Florida State in the NCAA semifinals, but she scooped up the awards, including Pac-12 midfielder of the year, 1st Team All-American and MAC Hermann Trophy finalist for college soccer’s best player.

And, as DiBiasi describes, her development into one of the country’s top collegiate players was enabled by the play of a couple younger Coloradans in Palo Alto: fellow Chatfield alum Civana Kuhlman (a UWSNT U-20 member) and Fossil Ridge graduate Sophia Smith (one of the USWNT’s preeminent up-and-comers).

“To be a part of the legacy we’ve had the last two years is incredible,” DiBiasi said. “And it’s been extra special to play with (Kuhlman and Smith) because being able to combine with their talent makes me look good, and vice versa. I’m excited to see how their paths continue.”

DiBiasi, 22, was one of four Colorado players selected in the draft along with Lauren Milliet (Durango/Rio Rapids SC/Colorado College) at No. 14 overall to the Houston Dash, Betsy Brandon (D’Evelyn/Rush/Virginia) at No. 16 to the North Carolina Courage and Grace Cutler (Fossil Ridge/Real/West Virginia) at No. 22 to the Dash.

Now DiBiasi, at last, will get to relish playing in the same jersey as Pugh.

“I’m really excited to play with Mal,” DiBiasi said. “I grew up playing against her and seeing her score goals against my team, so to be on the same team will make my life a lot easier.”