It’s that time again, time for the annual instalment of the NWSL’s college draft. This year’s draft ceremony took place in Philadelphia, and represented a return to live and in person mix zones. It truly felt like the first post pandemic draft that was… Normal. Even if it sadly meant Sporting Her could not be physically present.
It’s always one of the highlights of the season for me. For these players it’s the culmination of years of hard work, and the dawning of a new era in the professional game.
This year’s draft also felt a significant one for the league. League Commissioner Jessica Berman remarked, in her pre-draft presser, on how it felt like a new era for the NWSL, following the conclusion of the joint investigative report and the announcement of its actions issued.
This year’s draft did not disappoint. As is usually the case, there were trades flying around. Watching the draft was a lot like trying to navigate Philadelphia’s famous 30th Street Station. The trades and picks fly in every which direction, so much so that if you tried to keep track, you’d likely end up in a bit of a spin.
Lynn Williams
Undoubtedly one of the trades of the draft. Gotham FC wasted no time in picking up the USWNT forward via a trade from the Kansas City Current. In return, the Current received the second overall pick (more on how they used that later).
Williams is one of the best out and out strikers in the NWSL; she was prolific in North Carolina, for the Courage, scoring 45 goals in 96 appearances.
Williams’ goal-scoring prowess is no secret, nor is Gotham’s need for said goals; they notched only 16 last season. Comfortably the worst record in the entire league.
This was quite the coup for Gotham.
Michelle Cooper
The prolific Cooper was one of the most sought after prospects on the board, which is why Kansas City Current moved so quickly to trade for the 2nd overall pick. And why they were quite happy to trade away a player as good as Lynn Williams.
As I have already alluded to, the Current received the 2nd overall pick from Gotham and swooped for the young forward out of Duke.
Cooper scored 31 goals in 39 starts and 1 substitute appearance at the collegiate level and has been rewarded with USYNT honours. A finalist for the coveted Hermann Trophy, Cooper is expected to take the league by storm.
A pacy attacker, Cooper has all the physical attributes to excel in the NWSL with her pace and power. She’s also an excellent ball carrier, who is more than happy to drive at defences. Her scoring rate of 0.79 goals a game is prolific. Don’t be surprised to see her score a truck load of goals in the NWSL.
Emily Madril
The Pride seem to be garnering as much attention for this pick, as they have allocation money… A lot. But they have picked a good one. Madril was widely regarded as the best defender in this draft class. She signed a pro-contract with the league back in August, foregoing the rest of her college season to test herself in Europe. The Florida State alum recently spent time with BK Häcken in Sweden, making 2 appearances according to fotmob.com.
A defender who is quick, strong and proficient at carrying the ball and playing from the back. She is perfect for Seb Hines’ system, where building from the back is actively encouraged. Madril is potentially a day one starter, and arguably one of the picks of the entire draft class.
The tough tackling defender, and Florida native, made 25 appearances for the ‘Noles, during their 2021 Championship run. Madril has also overcome consecutive ACL tears to reach this point. A player with incredible mental fortitude as well as strong technical abilities, Madril could prove a formidable asset for the Pride.
Alyssa Thompson
Thompson made headlines earlier this year when she debuted for the USWNT at a packed Wembley Stadium in London, England against the European Championship winning Lionesses. Angel City’s desire to pick the young forward, was one of the league’s worst kept secrets.
Thompson is a somewhat unusual case in relative draft terms, in so far as she skipped college altogether to turn pro. A high school senior, at 18 years old, she is the youngest ever NWSL draft pick. Thompson spent time training with the pros in the Dominican Republic last February.
“This was the hardest decision that I’ve ever had to make, but in the end, I decided that it was the best for me. I worked really hard to get to the place that I am right now. Training with the full team and being in that environment [last preseason], I thought, ‘Wow, I can do this.’ And being able to play against the best in the world every single day—I couldn’t pass that up right now.”
She’s one of the hottest prospects in world soccer right now. Don’t be shocked if she ends up taking the league by storm. Thompson scored an astonishing 48 goals in 18 games for Harvard Westlake High School. And whilst the jump from high school to the pros is a sizeable one, when you think she’s made her full international debut in front of 90,000 at Wembley Stadium, she’s unlikely to be fazed by the challenge that lies ahead of her.
Paige Monaghan
A trade that might have gone under the radar a little, was Racing Louisville’s acquisition of Paige Monaghan from Gotham. Racing also received $150,000 in allocation money and an additional international roster slot for the coming season.
The 26-year-old has yet to fully reach her potential in the NWSL; her best career numbers to date came in 2019, where she played 20 matches, scoring 2 and assisting 1. Her underlying numbers for that season are a lot more impressive than her actual goal contributions, however. The winger created 20 chances and completed 57% of her dribbles according to fotmob.com. She had similar underlying numbers in 2022, playing for a poor Gotham side. Her potential is there, that’s for sure.
Given all of Louisville’s off field controversies, it remains to be seen whether Monaghan will ever actually don a Louisville jersey. If she does, however, the Kentucky based outfit are getting a good player.
The NWSL is back, and I for one cannot wait to see how the season pans out.
*All statistics courtesy of fotmob.com, Westlake High School, Florida State University and Duke University.
Written by Dan Berridge
