In a highly anticipated event, the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) draft took place on Friday night, showcasing the future stars of women's soccer. The draft saw Ally Sentor of North Carolina selected as the No. 1 overall pick by the expansion team, Utah Royals, followed closely by her teammate, Savy King, who was chosen second.
Sentor, a talented 19-year-old midfielder, had an impressive season as a sophomore, tallying 11 goals and seven assists. Her outstanding performance earned her the title of Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Midfielder of the Year. With her selection, Sentor embarks on her professional career with the Utah Royals, setting high expectations for both her and the team.
King, just 18 years old, was selected by the NWSL's other expansion club, Bay FC, located in the San Francisco Bay Area. As a defender, King gained valuable experience during her one year with the Tar Heels and earned a nomination for U.S. Soccer's prestigious 2023 Young Player of the Year award. She expressed her excitement about continuing her development as a professional player and honing her skills in different positions.
The Washington Spirit also made a significant move during the draft, trading up to acquire the third overall pick from the Chicago Red Stars. With this pick, they selected Croix Bethune, a talented midfielder from Georgia. The Spirit's general manager, Mark Krikorian, praised the defensive abilities and reliability of Sam Staab, whom they traded to Chicago in exchange for the pick.
The Utah Royals continued their successful draft by selecting Brecken Mozingo, an attacker from BYU, with the fourth overall pick. Mozingo, who hails from Sandy, Utah, not far from the Royals' stadium, showcased her skills by recording 14 goals and 15 assists during her senior year. Her standout performance earned her a spot as a finalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy, awarded to the nation's top college player.
The fifth pick of the draft went to the Washington Spirit, who acquired it from the North Carolina team in exchange for forward Ashley Sanchez and $250,000 in allocation money. With this pick, they chose Hal Hershfelt from Clemson, solidifying their midfield.
The NWSL draft presented an opportunity for the league's 14 teams to add promising talents to their rosters. Over four rounds, a total of 56 players were selected from the pool of over 200 eligible participants. The draft took place alongside the United Soccer Coaches Convention at the Anaheim Convention Center.
In addition to the draft, there were notable moves in the league's free agency. The Houston Dash signed forward Yuki Nagasato, who previously played for the Chicago Red Stars. Nagasato's contract with the Dash will extend until 2025, marking a significant addition to their attacking lineup.
Meanwhile, FC Gotham, the defending league champions, made waves by signing prominent national team players Crystal Dunn, Tierna Davidson, Rose Lavelle, and Emily Sonnett over the past two weeks. This strategic move solidifies Gotham's intentions to maintain their championship-winning status in the upcoming season.
Furthermore, Angel City made a trade with the San Diego Wave, acquiring midfielder Meggie Dougherty Howard for $40,000 in allocation money. The team aims to strengthen its midfield with Dougherty Howard's presence.
The draft also witnessed a trade between the Chicago Red Stars and Racing Louisville. Defender Arin Wright, who hails from Kentucky and played for the Wildcats, was traded for the No. 15 pick in the draft and $125,000.
With the conclusion of the draft, anticipation builds for the upcoming NWSL season, which is set to kick off on March 16. Fans and supporters eagerly await the performances of these young talents as they embark on their professional soccer journeys and contribute to the growth and success of women's soccer in the United States.
