2021 NWSL Draft

The 2021 NWSL Draft was the 9th annual meeting of National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) franchises to select eligible college players. It was held on January 13, 2021. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was the first NWSL Draft to be held virtually via videoconferencing and web streaming.

2021 NWSL Draft
General information
SportSoccer
Date(s)January 13, 2021
Time7:00 PM ET
Network(s)Twitch
Overview
40 total selections in 4 rounds
LeagueNational Women's Soccer League
First selectionEmily Fox,
Racing Louisville FC
Most selectionsKansas City NWSL and Racing Louisville FC (6 picks)
Fewest selectionsOL Reign (1 pick)

Format

COVID-19 pandemic

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the NWSL made the following changes to the draft regulations that apply only to the 2021 NWSL Draft:

  • Due to the disruption of college soccer and resulting NCAA D-I spring season in 2021, the NWSL applied for and received a waiver from the NCAA so that D-I players who are drafted could choose to report immediately for the 2021 NWSL season and forfeit their remaining collegiate eligibility, or remain with their collegiate teams until the conclusion of the NCAA D-I spring season in May 2021.[4]
  • The NWSL waived registration requirements so that all D-I players who had exhausted three years of collegiate soccer eligibility prior to the 2020–21 academic year were automatically eligible to be drafted.[5]
  • The NWSL playing rights of drafted players will be held until the start of the 2022 preseason rather than the end of the 2021 season as was the case previously.[6]

Results

Picks
Round Pick Nat. Player Pos. NWSL Team Notes Previous Team
Round 1 1 Emily FoxDRacing Louisville FCNorth Carolina
2 Trinity RodmanFWashington Spirit[R1 trade 1]Washington State
3 Brianna PintoMSky Blue FCNorth Carolina
4 Kiki PickettDKansas City NWSL[R1 trade 2]Stanford
5 Emina EkicMRacing Louisville FC[R1 trade 3]Louisville
6 Yazmeen RyanMPortland Thorns FC[R1 trade 4]TCU
7 Madison HaleyFChicago Red Stars[R1 trade 5]Stanford
8 Tara McKeownFWashington Spirit[R1 trade 6]USC
9 Viviana VillacortaMOrlando Pride[R1 trade 7]UCLA
10 Deanne RoseFNorth Carolina CourageFlorida
Round 2 11 Taylor OttoMRacing Louisville FCNorth Carolina
12 Sam CoffeyMPortland Thorns FCPenn State
13 Kirsten DavisFRacing Louisville FC[R2 trade 1]Texas Tech
14 Mikayla ColohanMOrlando PrideBYU
15 Victoria PickettMKansas City NWSL[R2 trade 2]Wisconsin
16 Lucy ParkerDKansas City NWSLUCLA
17 Addie McCainMKansas City NWSL[R2 trade 3]Texas A&M
18 Kelsey TurnbowFChicago Red Stars[R2 trade 4]Santa Clara
19 Anna HeilfertyFWashington SpiritBoston University
20 Alyssa MalonsonDNorth Carolina CourageAuburn
Round 3 21 Parker GoinsFRacing Louisville FCArkansas
22 Amirah AliFPortland Thorns FCRutgers
23 Taryn TorresMSky Blue FCVirginia
24 Kerry AbelloFOrlando PridePenn State
25 Brianna AlgerDChicago Red StarsWashington State
26 Joelle AndersonMHouston Dash[R3 trade 1]Pepperdine
27 Makamae Gomera-StevensFHouston DashWashington State
28 Jimena LópezDOL ReignTexas A&M
29 Sydney SchneiderGWashington SpiritUNC Wilmington
30 Myra KonteDNorth Carolina CourageVanderbilt
Round 4 31 Emily SmithDRacing Louisville FCCalifornia
32 Channing FosterFChicago Red Stars[R4 trade 1]Ole Miss
33 Delanie SheehanDSky Blue FCUCLA
34 Kaylie CollinsGOrlando PrideUSC
35 Alissa GorzakFChicago Red StarsVirginia
36 Alex LoeraMKansas City NWSLSanta Clara
37 Hannah BetfortDPortland Thorns FC[R4 trade 2]Wake Forest
38 Brookelynn EntzMKansas City NWSL[R4 trade 3]Kansas State
39 Mariana SpeckmaierFWashington SpiritClemson
40 Tess BoadeFSky Blue FC[R4 trade 4]Duke

Trades

Round 1:

  1. Portland Thorns FC → Sky Blue FC → Washington Spirit. Washington Spirit received a first-round pick in the 2021 NWSL Draft as well as the No. 4, No. 13 and No. 17 picks in the 2020 NWSL College Draft from Sky Blue FC in exchange for Mallory Pugh.[7] Sky Blue FC had acquired Portland Thorns FC's natural first-round pick from in exchange for Raquel Rodríguez.[8]
  2. Orlando Pride → Chicago Red Stars → Sky Blue FC → Kansas City NWSL. Kansas City NWSL acquired the No. 4 pick in the 2021 NWSL Draft from Sky Blue FC in exchange for $175,000 in allocation money.[9] Sky Blue FC had acquired the No. 4 and No. 8 picks in the 2021 NWSL Draft, a conditional first round pick in the 2022 NWSL Draft, and an international slot for 2021 and 2022 from Chicago Red Stars in exchange for Mallory Pugh and Sarah Woldmoe.[10] Chicago Red Stars had previously acquired the natural first-round pick in the 2021 NWSL Draft, the No. 19 pick in the 2020 NWSL College Draft, Rachel Hill and $50,000 of allocation money from Orlando Pride in exchange for the No. 3 and No. 26 picks in the 2020 NWSL College Draft.[11]
  3. Chicago Red Stars → Racing Lousiville FC. Racing Louisville FC acquired the natural first-round pick in the 2021 NWSL Draft as well as forwards Yuki Nagasato and Savannah McCaskill, and an international roster spot for both the 2021 and 2022 seasons from Chicago Red Stars in exchange for full roster protection in the 2020 NWSL Expansion Draft.[12]
  4. Utah Royals FC → Chicago Red Stars → Portland Thorns FC. Portland Thorns FC acquired the No. 6 pick in the 2021 NWSL Draft from Chicago Red Stars in exchange for the No. 7 and No. 32 picks in the 2021 NWSL Draft and an international slot in 2021.[13] Chicago Red Stars had acquired the natural first-round pick in the 2021 NWSL Draft as well as the No. 4 and No. 13 pick in the 2020 NWSL College Draft and two first-round picks (No. 1 and No. 7) in the 2019 NWSL College Draft from Utah Royals FC in exchange for the rights to Christen Press and Samantha Johnson.[14]
  5. Houston Dash → Portland Thorns FC → Chicago Red Stars. Chicago Red Stars acquired the No. 7 and No. 32 picks in the 2021 NWSL Draft and an international slot in 2021 from Portland Thorns FC in exchange for the No. 6 pick in the 2021 NWSL Draft.[13] Portland Thorns FC acquired the 7th and 37th picks in the 2021 NWSL Draft from Houston Dash in exchange for Emily Ogle and Gabby Seiler.[15]
  6. OL Reign → Chicago Red Stars → Sky Blue FC → Washington Spirit. Washington Spirit acquired the No. 8 pick in the 2021 NWSL Draft from Sky Blue FC in exchange for $100,000 in allocation money and Washington's natural second-round pick in the 2022 NWSL Draft.[16] Sky Blue FC had acquired the No. 4 and No. 8 picks in the 2021 NWSL Draft, a conditional first round pick in the 2022 NWSL Draft, and an international slot for 2021 and 2022 from Chicago Red Stars in exchange for Mallory Pugh and Sarah Woldmoe.[10] Chicago Red Stars had previously acquired the natural first-round pick in the 2021 NWSL Draft and natural third-round pick (No. 24) in the 2020 NWSL College Draft from OL Reign in exchange for a first-round pick (No. 9) in the 2020 NWSL College Draft.[17]
  7. Washington Spirit → Orlando Pride. Orlando Pride acquired the 9th pick in the 2021 NWSL Draft, a first-round pick in either the 2022 or 2023 NWSL Draft (TBD), $140,000 in allocation money and Meggie Dougherty Howard from Washington Spirit in exchange for Emily Sonnett.[18]

Round 2:

  1. Sky Blue → Racing Louisville FC. Racing Louisville FC acquired the No. 13 pick in the 2021 NWSL Draft and $35,000 in allocation money from Sky Blue FC in exchange for Jennifer Cudjoe.[19]
  2. Chicago Red Stars → Utah Royals FC. Utah Royals FC acquired the natural second-round pick in the 2021 NWSL Draft from Chicago Red Stars in exchange for Makenzy Doniak.[20]
  3. Houston Dash → Utah Royals FC. Utah Royals FC acquired the natural second-round pick in the 2021 NWSL Draft and natural second-round pick in the 2020 NWSL College Draft from Houston Dash in exchange for Utah Royals FC's third-round pick in the 2020 NWSL College Draft and Katie Stengel.[21]
  4. OL Reign → Orlando Pride → Chicago Red Stars. Chicago Red Stars acquired the lowest second-round pick in the 2021 NWSL Draft held by Orlando Pride under the terms of a June 21, 2020 trade. Orlando Pride had acquired the natural second-round pick in the 2021 NWSL Draft from OL Reign in exchange for Dani Weatherholt.[22]

Round 3:

  1. Utah Royals FC → Houston Dash. Houston Dash acquired a third-round pick in the 2021 NWSL Draft from Utah Royals FC in exchange for the rights to Aminata Diallo.[23]

Round 4:

  1. Portland Thorns FC → Chicago Red Stars. Chicago Red Stars acquired the No. 7 and No. 32 picks in the 2021 NWSL Draft and an international slot in 2021 from Portland Thorns FC in exchange for the No. 6 pick in the 2021 NWSL Draft.[13]
  2. Houston Dash → Portland Thorns FC. Portland Thorns FC acquired the 7th and 37th picks in the 2021 NWSL Draft from Houston Dash in exchange for Emily Ogle and Gabby Seiler.[15]
  3. OL Reign → Kansas City NWSL. Kansas City NWSL acquired the 38th pick in the 2021 NWSL Draft, Darian Jenkins, and the rights to Meg Brandt from OL Reign in exchange for Tziarra King and a second-round pick in the 2022 NWSL Draft.[24]
  4. North Carolina Courage → Sky Blue FC. Sky Blue FC acquired a conditional fourth-round pick in the 2021 NWSL Draft and McCall Zerboni from North Carolina Courage in exchange for the rights to Hailie Mace.[25]

Future draft trades

2022 NWSL Draft trades

  • Round 1, OL Reign → Washington Spirit. August 16, 2020: Washington Spirit acquired the natural first-round pick in the 2022 NWSL Draft, $100,000 in allocation money, as well as additional allocation money should certain conditions be met, from OL Reign in exchange for Rose Lavelle.[26]
  • Round 1, Portland Thorns FC → OL Reign. October 22, 2020: OL Reign acquired the natural first-round pick in the 2022 NWSL Draft, $200,000 in allocation money and an international roster spot for the 2021 season from Portland Thorns FC in exchange for Crystal Dunn.[27]
  • Round 1 (conditional), Chicago Red Stars → Sky Blue FC. December 29, 2020: Sky Blue FC acquired the No. 4 and No. 8 picks in the 2021 NWSL Draft, a conditional first round pick in the 2022 NWSL Draft, and an international slot for 2021 and 2022 from Chicago Red Stars in exchange for Mallory Pugh and Sarah Woldmoe.[10]
  • Round 1 (conditional), Washington Spirit → Kansas City NWSL. December 2, 2020: Utah Royals FC acquired $75,000 in allocation money, as well as the natural first-round pick in the 2022 NWSL Draft should certain conditions be met, from Washington Spirit in exchange for Kelley O'Hara.[28]
  • Round 2, Kansas City NWSL → OL Reign. January 4, 2021: OL Reign acquired a second-round pick in the 2022 NWSL Draft and Tziarra King from Kansas City in exchange for Darian Jenkins, the rights to Meg Brandt, and a fourth-round pick in the 2021 NWSL Draft.[24]
  • Round 2, North Carolina Courage → Chicago Red Stars. January 13, 2021: Chicago Red Stars acquired the natural second-round pick in the 2022 NWSL Draft and $35,000 in allocation money from North Carolina Courage in exchange for a 2021 international slot.[29]
  • Round 2, Washington Spirit → Sky Blue FC. January 13, 2021: Sky Blue FC acquired the natural second-round pick in the 2022 NWSL Draft and $100,000 in allocation money from Washington Spirit in exchange for the No. 8 pick in the 2021 NWSL Draft.[16]
  • Round 2 (conditional), OL Reign → Houston Dash. February 3, 2020: Houston Dash acquired a conditional second-round pick in the 2022 NWSL Draft, Shea Groom, and Megan Oyster from OL Reign in exchange for the rights to Sofia Huerta and Amber Brooks.[30]

TBD

  • 2022 or 2023, Round 1, Washington Spirit → Orlando Pride. December 24, 2020: Orlando Pride acquired a first-round pick in either the 2022 or 2023 NWSL draft (dependent on whether conditions of the Kelley O'Hara trade between Washington and Kansas City are met) as well as the 9th pick in the 2021 NWSL Draft, $140,000 in allocation money and Meggie Dougherty Howard from Washington Spirit in exchange for Emily Sonnett.[18]

Summary

Selections by college athletic conference
Conference Round 1 Round 2 Round 3 Round 4 Total
ACC 3114 9
Big Ten 0220 4
Big 12 1101 3
CAA 0010 1
Pac-12 5123 11
Patriot League 0100 1
SEC 1231 7
West Coast 0211 4

Schools with multiple draft selections
Selections Schools
3North Carolina, UCLA, Washington State
2Penn State, Santa Clara, Stanford, Texas A&M, USC, Virginia

See also

References
  1. "NWSL Opens Player Registration and Announces Current Selection Order for the Renamed 2021 NWSL Draft". NWSL. December 1, 2020. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
  2. "Kansas City Returns to the NWSL as Expansion Team in 2021". NWSL. December 7, 2020. Retrieved December 7, 2020.
  3. "NWSL Announces List of Players Registered for the 2021 NWSL Draft". www.nwslsoccer.com.
  4. "Player Registration Guidelines" (PDF). NWSL. Retrieved December 17, 2020.
  5. "NWSL eliminates draft registration requirement, expands eligible athlete pool". NWSL. January 6, 2021. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  6. Hamlin, Steve (January 11, 2021). "2021 NWSL Draft Preview: All you need to know before the first pick". NWSL. Retrieved January 11, 2021.
  7. "Sky Blue FC Acquires Mallory Pugh from the Washington Spirit". www.skybluefc.com. January 16, 2020.
  8. "Sky Blue FC Acquires Margaret "Midge" Purce from Portland Thorns FC". Sky Blue FC. January 8, 2020.
  9. "No. 4 draft pick trade". Sky Blue FC twitter. January 13, 2021.
  10. "Chicago Acquires Mallory Pugh and Sarah Killion Woldmoe from Sky Blue FC". Chicago Red Stars. December 29, 2020. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
  11. "Chicago Acquires Rachel Hill, Drafts Five in 2020 NWSL College Draft". www.chicagoredstars.com. January 16, 2020.
  12. "Racing Louisville FC Adds Franchise's First Roster Addition in Trade with Chicago". www.nwslsoccer.com. October 26, 2020.
  13. "No. 6 draft pick trade". Chicago Red Stars twitter. January 13, 2021.
  14. "Chicago Acquires Brooke Elby and Six NWSL College Draft Picks". Chicago Red Stars. June 18, 2018.
  15. "Thorns FC acquire seventh, 37th picks in 2021 NWSL Draft from Houston Dash". www.timbers.com. December 16, 2020.
  16. "Washington Spirit Acquire Eighth Pick In 2021 NWSL Draft". www.washingtonspirit.com. January 13, 2021.
  17. "Reign FC Acquires First Round Pick in 2020 College Draft". www.reignfc.com. January 10, 2020.
  18. "Orlando Pride Acquires Pair of First Round Draft Picks, Allocation Money and Meggie Dougherty Howard". www.orlandocitysc.com. December 24, 2020.
  19. "Sky Blue FC Acquires Midfielder Jennifer Cudjoe From Racing Louisville FC". www.skybluefc.com. January 13, 2021.
  20. "Chicago Acquires Makenzy Doniak". Chicago Red Stars. December 19, 2019.
  21. "Houston Dash acquire forward Katie Stengel from Utah Royals FC". www.houstondynamo.com. January 8, 2020.
  22. "Orlando Pride Acquires 2021 Second Round Draft Pick From Reign FC". www.orlandocitysc.com. January 22, 2020.
  23. "Utah Royals FC Signs French Midfielder Aminata Diallo". Real Salt Lake. March 11, 2020. Retrieved March 11, 2020.
  24. "OL Reign acquires Tziarra King and draft pick from Kansas City". OL Reign. January 4, 2021. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
  25. "North Carolina Courage Trade McCall Zerboni to Sky Blue FC for the Rights to Hailie Mace". www.nccourage.com. January 10, 2020.
  26. "OL Reign acquires midfielder Rose Lavelle". OL Reign. August 16, 2020. Retrieved December 5, 2020.
  27. "USWNT star Dunn joins Thorns in blockbuster three-team trade". Goal.com. October 22, 2020.
  28. "Utah Royals FC Receives Allocation Money in Exchange for Kelley O'Hara". Real Salt Lake. December 2, 2020. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
  29. "Chicago Acquires Allocation Money and Draft Selection from North Carolina Courage". Chicago Red Stars. January 13, 2021. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
  30. "Sofia Huerta and Amber Brooks Acquired in Trade with Dash". Reign FC. February 3, 2020.
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