NWSL: First Round Mock Draft
The 2015 NWSL College Draft is set for Friday at 9:30 AM in Philadelphia. The draft definitely has some depth and with the 2015 World Cup leaving teams without their stars for a good portion of the season, many players selected this year will be major contributors.
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Unfortunately, Florida State midfielder and 2014 Mac Hermann Trophy Award finalist Dagný Brynjarsdóttir is not eligible to be drafted as she has signed a contract in Germany. Other major names missing from the list of players eligible for the draft include UCLA defender Ally Courtnall and Florida State defender Megan Campbell.
First Round
1. Houston Dash- Morgan Brian (Virginia)
This is a formality at this point. The 2-time Mac Hermann Trophy Award winner is going to be the first player drafted. Likely to be part of the US Women’s National Team during the Women’s World Cup this summer, the former Virginia attacking midfielder has everything that it takes to be a star in the NWSL.
2. Sky Blue FC- Sarah Killion (UCLA)
Sky Blue FC, who acquired this pick from Boston in a trade back in March, are in desperate need of midfielders with Ashley Nick sent to Houston and Sophie Schmidt likely to miss the first half of the season to prepare for the World Cup. Killion perfectly steps into this role as a defensive midfielder. Sam Mewis is also a possibility, however she is more of an attacking midfielder and Katie Freels has pretty much solidified her spot at the number 10 role for Sky Blue FC.
3/4. Western New York Flash- Abby Dahlkemper (UCLA) and Sam Mewis (UCLA)
The Flash own both the 3rd and 4th picks in the draft. They acquired the 4th after a trade that sent Sam Kerr to Sky Blue FC. They need to fill multiple holes in this team after an offseason that saw the Flash send away many of its stars. Dahlkemper and Mewis, who played for Flash Technical Director Charlie Naimo this past summer with the Los Angeles Blues, fill the needs for a first team quality center back and attacking midfielder.
5. Chicago Red Stars- Danielle Colaprico (Virginia)
The question here for the Red Stars is whether to take a center back or defensive midfielder. Kristin Grubka is a quality option at center back, but Colaprico shined for Virginia in 2014 and fills the void in the midfield that will be left during the World Cup.
6/7. Western New York Flash- Sofia Huerta (Santa Clara) and Caprice Dydasco (UCLA)
Another two picks acquired through trades for the Flash. Sofia Huerta is a quality forward that can fill in for Wambach during the World Cup, while Dydasco just fills another need at outside back for the Flash.
8. Chicago Red Stars- Kristin Grubka (Florida State)
Grubka is still on the board here for Chicago to take. They will need a center back with Julie Johnston and Abby Erceg each set to miss a significant amount of time to play in the World Cup.
9. Boston Breakers- Arin Gilliland
The versatile Kentucky star can slot in at many roles for the desperate Breakers. Gilliland specializes at center back, but could also be used at forward. In reality, Gilliland is arguably the best prospect still available and the Breakers have too many holes in their roster to name.
