Every selection will be updated here as it’s made.
Every season, the top prospects entering the NWSL wait until the final week to register in order to maximize their leverage. This year was no different, with the likes of Stanford’s Tegan McGrady and UCLA’s Hailie Mace delaying until close to the registration deadline.
But this year had a bit of a wrinkle — for the first time, underclassmen are eligible to enter. And at the absolute last minute, Stanford junior and USWNT defender Tierna Davidson decided to enter. Davidson has 12 caps for the national team and could become the youngest player on the squad’s 2019 World Cup roster.
A handful of top prospects opted not to enter. Natalia Kuikka and Bunny Shaw were consensus top-five prospects, but due to the league’s international roster restrictions, they might not have gone as high as their talent dictated. Both are likely to pursue careers abroad. Stanford defender Alana Cook, who might have been a first round pick, also opted not to enter the draft.
The draft has also been shaken up by a number of trades by teams concerned about the small size of their current rosters. Sky Blue FC and the Washington Spirit have struggled to re-sign players so far this offseason, and both have traded for multiple picks to ensure they’ll have a complete roster when the season starts.
All of the picks will update live below as they’re made. The draft is scheduled to start just after 12 p.m. ET.
Round 1
1. Chicago Red Stars— Tierna Davidson, D, Stanford
2. Sky Blue FC — Hailie Mace, D/F, UCLA
3. Washington Spirit— Jordan DiBiasi, M, Stanford
4. Washington Spirit— Samantha Staab, D, Clemson
5. North Carolina Courage— Leah Pruitt, F, USC
6. Sky Blue FC— Julia Ashley, D, North Carolina
7. Washington Spirit— Tegan McGrady, D, Stanford
8. Washington Spirit— Dorian Bailey, M, North Carolina
9. North Carolina Courage— Hailey Harbison, D/M/F, Pepperdine
Round 2
10. Sky Blue FC— Paige Monaghan, M/D, Butler
11. Sky Blue FC— Julie James, M, Baylor
12. Houston Dash — Aly Prisock, D, USC
13. Houston Dash— CeCe Kizer, F, Ole Miss
14. North Carolina Courage — Lauren Milliet, M/F, Colorado College
15. Chicago Red Stars— Maria Sanchez, F, Santa Clara
16. Houston Dash — Betsy Brandon, M, Virginia
17. Washington Spirit— Bailey Feist, M, Wake Forest
18. Houston Dash— Kayla McCoy, F, Duke
Round 3
19. Sky Blue FC— Kyra Caruso, F, Georgetown
20. Chicago Red Stars— Bianca St. Georges, D, West Virginia
21. Houston Dash— Jazmin Jackman, D, Oregon
22. Houston Dash— Grace Cutler, M, West Virginia
23. Utah Royals FC — Michelle Maemone, D, Pepperdine
24. Portland Thorns— Emily Ogle, M, Penn State
25. Orlando Pride— Erin Greening, D, Colorado
26. Chicago Red Stars— Kayla Sharples, D, Northwestern
27. Utah Royals FC— Maddie Nolf, D, Penn State
Round 4
28. Sky Blue FC— Kaylan Marckese, GK, Florida
29. Sky Blue FC— Kenie Wright, D/M, Rutgers
30. Orlando Pride— Marisa Viggiano, M, Northwestern
31. Chicago Red Stars— April Bockin, F, Minnesota
32. Utah Royals FC— Alex Kimball, M/D, North Carolina
33. Chicago Red Stars— Hannah Davidson, D, Northwestern
34. Sky Blue FC— Sabrina Flores, M/D, Notre Dame
35. Chicago Red Stars— Jenna Sczesny, F, Loyola Chicago
36. North Carolina Courage— Kaycie Tillman, M/F, Florida State