NWSL 2023 – Top Five Draft Picks to Watch Out For

The 2023 edition of the National Women’s Soccer League is almost here! Players are gearing up to get back into action after a long offseason of 147 days. The NWSL season will kick off on March 25, 2023. Each of the 12 clubs had the chance to strengthen their squad during the NWSL preseason draft.

During the draft, there were a few exciting and unexpected moves, too. One of the most popular names this season is Alyssa Thompson. However, there are a few more other names too that are worth keeping an eye on.

Let’s have a look at the top 5 draft picks for the 2023 NWSL season.

NWSL 2023 Overall No.1 pick – Alyssa Thompson to ACFC

Alyssa Thompson was the No.1 overall pick during the 2023 edition of the NWSL draft. The 18-year-old was Angel City’s most lucrative signing during the offseason. Surprisingly, Thompson has already scored her first goal for the club during a friendly game against Club America. Her coaches and mentors have often said that she doesn’t look like an 18-year-old once she’s on the pitch.

About a year ago, Thompson was playing soccer in a boys’ league at Harvard Westlake. Due to her phenomenal performance, she then got a chance to play in the U-20 World Cup. She also made her first international senior debut with the USWNT in 2022. It has been quite a journey for the immensely talented 18-year-old. At such a young age, it is safe to say that Alyssa Thompson already has the world at her feet.

Everyone will surely have an eye on her right from the start of the season. The fans are eager to see Thompson make the ‘professional’ upgrade to her career this season.

Michelle Cooper to begin her NWSL journey with KC

Kansas City Current has done it again. The Current stunned most of the fans after they sent USWNT star, Lynn Williams to NJ/NY Gotham. But it seems like the Current got the better side of the deal. In return, they got the rights to the draft’s second overall pick.

The Kansas City-based soccer club picked Michelle Cooper as their second overall pick. Cooper is a born winner. Prior to joining KC Current, the young soccer star lifted the 2022 MAC Hermann Trophy. Along with the MAC Hermann trophy, she also won the 2022 ACC Offensive Player of the Year. Prior to that, she won the ACC Freshman of the Year in 2021, and tons of other accolades.

Most recently, Cooper scored eight goals at the 2022 CONCACAF Women’s U-20 Championship. She also went on to win the Golden Boot and Golden Ball during the same international tournament as the captain of the USWNT U-20 team. While Cooper’s conversion rate is really high, the Current was ever-ready to take that gamble by letting Lynn Williams leave.

Orlando Pride’s warrior – Emily Madril

Emily Madril seems like the most experienced one of the top 5 draft picks. At the age of just 23, Madril has already battled through two ACL surgeries. Along with that, she’s also played a season as a professional soccer player with Racing Louisville’s USL W League squad. She’s also played for BK Hacken, a Swedish soccer club in Gothenburg.

After bursting onto the scene in 2017, Madril tore both her leg’s ACLs in the span of two years at Florida State University. The American defender was finally fully back to soccer action in 2021. The ‘wall’ helped her team maintain five clean sheets in six NCAA games. She ended up winning the ACC Defensive Player of the Year.

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Madril gained valuable professional soccer experience with BH Hacken in Sweden. Despite the horrific injury record, Madril is technically sound and ever-ready to make an impact in the NWSL.

Jenna Nighswonger was acquired by Gotham FC

Jenna Nighswonger declared very late for the 2023 NWSL draft. The young soccer star prefers playing as an attacking midfielder. She was also one of the players on the top three shortlists for the MAC Hermann award. Nighswonger is a very dynamic midfielder. At such a young age, the attacking midfielder has the ability to find those line-splitting passes.

Reyna Reyes’s draft to Portland Thorns

Reyna Reyes joined the Portland Thorns as the fifth overall pick of the NWSL draft. Prior to this, Reyes played for the FC Dallas Girls Academy and the University of Alabama. Last season, the Mexican international helped her college team reach the semi-finals. Along with winning the 2022 SEC Defender of the Year, Reyes was a finalist for the 2022 Honda Award too.

While winning numerous accolades at the University of Alabama, Reyes has also made a bunch of senior appearances for the Mexican national team. The defensive midfielder has joined the Portland Thorns squad and will act as great defensive cover when in need. Apart from that, she also has the ability to break forward into channels of space as an attacking option too.

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From these five names above, which one are you looking forward to watching the most? Let us know in the comments below.