The NWSL draft for 2023 has just come to a close. Soccer fans from all around the globe were excited about this year’s NWSL draft. Extremely talented and young soccer players like Alyssa Thompson, Michelle Cooper, and many others were part of the draft picks. Serena Williams’ Angel City FC was already in the public eye a few days prior to the NWSL draft.
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The Los Angeles-based soccer club surprised fans after they traded Yazmeen Ryan’s rights to Gotham City FC. In return, Angel City FC got their right over the No. 1 pick in the NWSL.
Masterstroke by Angel City FC!
In the beginning, many fans failed to understand why Angel City FC would give up the rights to Yazmeen Ryan. The simple reason was that the young American striker had a proven track record. However, in retrospect, everything makes sense now. Getting the right to the No. 1 pick was the best decision that Angel City FC made.
ALYSSA THOMPSON IS STAYING IN LA AND RUNNIN WITH THE ANGELS 🌴⚽️ pic.twitter.com/pOIITKcUjI
— Attacking Third (@AttackingThird) January 12, 2023
Through that, the LA-based club managed to get hold of Alyssa Thompson. The American striker is just 18 years old. However, at such a young age she already has the world at her feet. Yesterday, Alyssa Thompson set a new record. The 18-year-old became the first-ever high school player to earn an NWSL contract.
Angel City FC immediately started celebrating their success after signing the young American star. The fans also went berserk on social media and cannot wait to watch the young star in action. Let’s have a look at how the fans reacted to the new signing.
Let’s f-ing go 2023! https://t.co/lFlljFiAE5
— Paloma (@palomafy) January 12, 2023
“LA fans are the best in the world!” -Alyssa Thompson #1 pick @nwsl draft
— Jamie Watson (@teeoffwithjamie) January 12, 2023
Wooop wooop!!!! What a fantastic pick!!!
— Heather Jordan⁷ (@HeatherOnAir) January 12, 2023
Congratulations to Alyssa Thompson! At 18 years old, she is the youngest draft pick in NWSL history! #KeepPlaying https://t.co/OmSJvR4ARn
— Women's Sports Foundation (@WomensSportsFdn) January 13, 2023
SHE’S RUNNIN WITH THE ANGELLLLLLLLLLSSSSSSS https://t.co/StAKlEnBMn
— kylie sparks 🖤🥂⚾️🏀⚽️ (@kyliesparks) January 12, 2023
Not messing around. 2023 here we come!! https://t.co/jdAV4PLFv6
— Julie Uhrman 🏝⚽️🚀 (@juhrman) January 12, 2023
Welcome to the club to the future goat 👏 https://t.co/cxb5FOnLx7
— 💃🏽⚽️🤙 (@spicytobito) January 12, 2023
STOKED! The future is bright in LA. https://t.co/dGwfJrfHJ5
— Whitney (@WhitneyDeWall) January 12, 2023
A young piece to finally build around. https://t.co/R4jT2IWlAq
— Eloy 💧 (@EloyLopezIII) January 12, 2023
Every single Angel City FC fan is delighted to have Thompson at the club.
The club’s hierarchy also expressed their words of appreciation in an official club statement. General Manager, Angela Hucles Mangano said, “Alyssa Thompson, for us, is a phenom and generational player. She’s a player who can make an immediate impact, but she’s also young and can develop and look to be a player that we’re building a future off of, too”.
Thompson is pumped to join Serena Williams’ club!
Alyssa Thompson is one of a kind. The American striker has already achieved so much at such a young age. Thompson was overjoyed after joining the Serena Williams’ club. She told Angel City FC, “This was the hardest decision that I’ve ever had to make in my life. There were so many back and forths about it, but in the end, I decided that it was the best for me”.
The moment Alyssa Thompson became the youngest draft pick in history of the NWSL. pic.twitter.com/hTZL2eNXhE
— Just Women’s Sports (@justwsports) January 12, 2023
In 2021, the Thompson sisters became the first-ever soccer players to sign a NIL deal in high school. Nike gauged the potential of the two sisters and immediately grabbed the chance and got both of them on board.
BTW Alyssa Thompson runs the second fastest 100 meters in California 🥵 11.74 seconds
Angel City might literally be runnin’in 2023 🔥
— Attacking Third (@AttackingThird) January 5, 2023
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Thompson made her senior USWNT debut at the age of just 17. In 2022, she became the second youngest player to earn the call-up. The young soccer star also holds a record outside of soccer. Thompson ran the second fastest 100 meters race all over California. It took her just 11.74 seconds to complete the race.
It remains to be seen if Alyssa Thompson can become as great of a sports star as her team’s owner Serena Williams.
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Watch this story: Serena Williams’ and Natalie Portman’s Success With ACFC Inspires Another Female Led Group to Invest in Women’s Soccer
How many goals do you think Alyssa Thompson will score this season? Let us know in the comments below.