Image copyright Jeff Kassouf for Equalizer
Angel City FC kicked off the 2023 NWSL Draft by selecting 18-year-old Alyssa Thompson with the No. 1 overall pick on Thursday night in Philadelphia. The move came as no surprise after Angel City acquired the top pick from NJ/NY Gotham FC a week prior in exchange for Yazmeen Ryan and a quarter-million dollars in allocation money.
Thompson, an LA native, debuted for the US in October and had previously committed to Stanford, but declared for the NWSL Draft on Jan. 6. When she made the roster to face England and Spain, Thompson became the youngest player called up for a full national team camp since 16-year-old Sophia Smith.
Round 1
Pick 1, Angel City FC: Alyssa Thompson, Prep School
Pick 2, Kansas City Current (via Gotham FC): Michelle Cooper, Duke University
The Kansas City Current traded veteran forward Lynn Williams to Gotham FC for the second overall pick.
Pick 3, Orlando Pride: Emily Madrid, Florida State
Pick 4, NJ/NY Gotham FC: Jenna Nightswonger, Florida State
Pick 5, Portland Thorns FC: Reyna Reyes, Alabama
Pick 6, North Carolina Courage: Olivia Wingate, Notre Dame
Pick 7, Chicago Red Stars: Penelope Hocking, Penn State
Pick 8, North Carolina Courage: Sydney Collins, University of California, Berkeley
As the 2023 NWSL Draft continues, stay tuned to this page for highlights. Also, make sure you are following Equalizer Soccer on Twitter for real-time updates from our staff on the ground at the Philadelphia Convention Center. Here is a final list of registered players from the NWSL.
