As we go through the National Women’s Soccer League cruelest winter, the springtime has the potential to be eternal. The 2017 draft class is believed to be the deepest in talent ever. Some teams can make a serious playoff push again or be respectable in the upcoming season. One team can set themselves up for a championship in a year like the Western New York Flash did in the 2015 draft.
Drafts are a crap shoot. What’s entertaining about the draft is that even though these ladies are the top prospects, according to www.allwhitekit.com , the teams will find diamonds in the rough.
Here is my roll of the dice on who will get picked by which team:
NWSL 2017 MOCK DRAFT
First Pick: Boston Breakers: Kadiesha Buchanan, Centerback, West Virginia,
Kadiesha Buchanan is already better than Megan Oyster and Allysha Chapman. They will have the duty of stabilizing an awful defense. Kadeisha has great track back ability as a centerback, a great tackler, and delicate when dispossessing a player with the ball inside the box. She is pro ready but can she survive the six-month grid?
Second Pick: Western New York Flash: Savannah Jordan, Forward, Florida
Savannah Jordan is a Western New York type of player. She’s tall, has a good stride, has a nose for goal, and can use her head when scoring. The Flash can continue to amaze us with their offense while letting go of older talent to work on the defense since Savannah will be cheap to sign.
Third Pick: Seattle Reign FC, Rose Lavelle, Midfielder, Wisconsin.
Lavelle is so exciting to watch she’ll make Seattle fans forget about a Scot. She’s fast, an artist on the ball, and poised inside the box. Rose is much needed for the Reign who are looking to reload for a playoff run.
Fourth Pick, Sky Blue FC, Rachel Hill, Connecticut
Not as fast as Lavelle but Hill but has great ball skills and a better shot power.
Fifth Pick, FC Kansas City, Emma Fletcher, Midfielder, California
Sydney Leroux, Amy Rodriquez, and Shea Groom can score, but who will operate the attack? The lack of goals hurt the Blues last season. Emma is quick and has the vision to pick the right pass.
Sixth Pick, Seattle Reign FC, Jane Campbell, Goalkeeper, Stanford
The question for Seattle is about Hope? Will Hope Solo play again after shoulder surgery and being exiled from the national team? Jane Campbell has Hope-like cat reflexes and is fearless when obtaining the ball. Campbell can have the luxury of playing for a good team to prevent shell shock. The Reign’s stability in defense will make her look like a veteran as the season progresses.
Seventh Pick, Western New York Flash, Allison Wetherington, Midfielder, Portland
The Flash needs defensive help yet Allison Wetherington fits their system so well. She has the speed to counterattack. Allison can play on the flanks and deliver the right press inside the box. She will fit right in with their philosophy.
Eighth Pick, Chicago Red Stars, Toni Payne, Duke
Toni Payne is a dynamic player who can take on multiple defenders. She’s fast, has great ball control, and has some shot power. Toni can occupy defenders while she and Christen Press can score more goals for Chicago.
Ninth Pick, Washington Spirit, Morgan Andrews, Midfielder, USC
The Spirit do have to draft after losing Crystal Dunn and their playing style was built to live without her. They should steer the course and get younger in the midfield. Morgan has the vision to create an attack when she is the conductor of an offense. She’s also quick and has a great touch. A good fit for Washington’s possession style of play.
Tenth Pick, Sky Blue FC, Maddie Bauer, Centerback, Stanford.
Sky Blue could shut down a top four team one week and be inconsistent in the next game. Maddie has international experience playing for the U.S. Under-23 squad. Her experience playing in those matches can add stability in the back.
With European clubs poaching the star players, take this mock draft with a grain of salt.
