2024 NWSL First Round Mock Draft

2024 NWSL First Round Mock Draft
by Victor Olorunfemi
January 11, 2024

The draft is just a day away, and this promises to be one for the ages, as few prospects stand out from the rest of the pack. Eva Gaetino, the two-time ACC Defender of the Year, would have been one of those, but she seems to have opted for an opportunity overseas as she trials at PSG.

Combine a heavily saturated draft pool with expansion teams like the Utah Royals and Bay Area, who have needs all over the field, multiple franchises with new head coaches, and you have all the ingredients for an unforgettable draft.

Here is a 2024 NWSL first-round mock draft gauging everything from team need to tactical fit, international roster spots, and the risk-reward ratio.

ORDER TEAM NAME COLLEGE POS
1   Utah Royals  Savannah King North Carolina D

The best combination of youth and talent in the draft, King was one of the best players in college soccer last season as a freshman. And capable of playing multiple positions in the defense, whether in a back three or four, the California native is an exciting prospect to draft and develop into a potential national team stalwart.

2 bay area fc Ally Sentnor North Carolina M

Bay Area has many needs as an expansion team, so why not draft the best attacking prospect available? Add that she is the U20 U.S. National Team captain, and Bay Area lands one of the potential cornerstones of the future USWNT.

3 Red Stars Croix Bethune  Georgia M

It will be fascinating to see if concerns about Bethune's knee keep her from landing where her talent deserves. She has torn her ACL three times, with two of those coming collegiately. Yet despite that, Bethune is a three-time All-American and improved from year to year.

4  Utah Royals Brecken Mozingo  BYU F

As a Utah native who took her hometown university to new heights, this is a match made in heaven. And considering Mozingo's creative playing style, talk about a pick that could excite the fanbase of a soccer-obsessed state.

5 courage   Maycee Bell  North Carolina D

Were this draft three seasons ago, Bell would not be on the board by the fifth pick. Unfortunately, injuries have halted her growth. Fortunately, the talent and potential are still oozing as a lanky center-back with top-end athleticism and ball-playing qualities. And having spent some time in the NC Courage system, this could be the most comfortable fit.

6 racing louisville Reilyn Turner UCLA F

Racing Louisville is in dire need of talent on the wing, and there is no better fit than Turner. The season could start tomorrow, and the UCLA star would be ready to significantly contribute with the size, speed, and technical ability that often translates.

7 spirit  Maya Doms Stanford M

The exciting hire of Jonatan Giraldez, who leaves Barcelona to coach the Spirit, indicates what style the team will play and where draft resources may be allocated. Stanford is one of the most possession-heavy teams in college soccer, and Doms is a five-year A-student of the Cardinal factory.

8 bay area fc Kennedy Wesley Stanford D

Bay Area has plenty of needs, so why not land an All-American who can play left and center back at elite levels? Add that Wesley was born and raised in California, and you have a potential fit.

9 Makenna Morris Clemson  D

A Brazil-heavy roster means Orlando Pride is unlikely to use a draft spot on an international prospect. And with no glaring needs, Morris is one of the most talented options in the draft as a right back with an eye for goal.

10  courage Ally Lemos  UCLA M

NC Courage is the most possession-heavy team in the NWSL, so a supremely technical midfielder who hits set pieces as well as anyone and can find the final pass or aid in maintaining the tempo makes for an ideal pick.

11 Leilanni Nesbeth  Florida State M

The Thorns will create plenty of chances between Olivia Moultrie, Morgan Weaver, Sophia Smith and Hina Sugita. What the team could add is a ball-winning midfielder with the skillset to break lines with her passing or dribbling. Look no further than Nesbeth.

12 San Diego Wave Natalia Staude Virginia D

The decision to draft Naomi Girma has proved a gem, so why not take another chance at a dominant collegiate and youth national team center back? Especially with the team losing Kaleigh Riehl to the Royals and the uncertainty on how Abby Dahlkemper will play long-term after recent injury issues, a Staude pick could be an opportunity to secure the center-back position for years to come.

13 spirit  Lauren Flynn Florida State  D

With former FSU coach Mark Krikorian running the draft, it seems inevitable that the Spirit end up with at least one former Seminole on Friday. Flynn is an excellent tackler who can also progress possession by finding line-breaking passes or dribbling forward, all traits a ball-dominant coach will love to have.

14 gotham fc Jaida Thomas  Tennessee F

As the defending champions, this franchise does not have many needs. What we do know is the team is possession-heavy, and Thomas fits right in as a striker who loves to operate in the 18, sniffing out chances in crowded boxes. Part of the luxury of returning a championship roster is that you can take chances in the draft, and why not take one on a player who, despite her 2023 season cut short due to injury, was a goal-scoring machine in the SEC with 39 goals in 59 games.

Related Topics: Atlantic Coast, Big 12, Pacific 12, SEC
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