The NWSL draft showed signs that some teams may see immediate improvement. The Washington Spirit, Portland Thorns, and Sky Blue FC were able to benefit most from the cream of the crop of the draft with multiple picks in the first round. Only six of the ten teams in the NWSL had first-round picks. Fortunately, the remainder of the draft pool consisted of versatile athletic players.

The Spirit showed a desire to strengthen their midfield with the first and third picks of the ’18 draft. To begin, the first overall pick was used to draft Andi Sullivan, a midfielder from Stanford. Sullivan adds to the list of USWNT players selected first overall in the last five NWSL drafts. Finishing her collegiate career as a National Champion and MAC Herman trophy winner, Sullivan is expected to be a centerpiece to build the club around. “She can link the defensive line to the forward line,  get forward into the attack, and become dangerous in scoring chances” stated Washington Spirit Head Coach Jim Gabarra. Canadian International midfielder Rebecca Quinn was selected with the third overall pick. Quinn’s defensive prowess may be put to use at CB to help a struggling Spirit backline that conceded 47 goals, the most in the NWSL ’17 season.

The Boston Breakers acquired, forward Savanna McCaskill with the second overall pick. The SEC Offensive Player of the Year has the intangibles to improve the Breakers scoring ability immediately. Netting only 24 goals last season, the team finished with the second lowest amount of goals scored. McCaskill is only the second player from the University of South Carolina to be drafted in the NWSL.

For the first time in the history of the NWSL, Sky Blue FC held three consecutive first-round picks. West Virginia teammates Michaela Abam and Amadine Pierre-Louis were selected with the 4th and 6th pick. Duke forward Imani Dorsey joined Sky Blue at pick five. Dorsey’s speed and left-footedness helped her to garner ACC offensive player of the year honors. Surprisingly, selecting three consecutive first rounders wasn’t the only thing to help build Sky Blue FC for next season. A blockbuster three-way trade sent Samantha Kerr from Sky Blue FC to the Chicago Red Stars and Christen Press from the Red Stars to the Houston Dash. As a result, Carli Lloyd will be leaving the Dash to return home to New Jersey to play for Sky Blue FC. LLoyd requested a trade that would allow her to be closer to her family and husband.

Nebraska midfielder Haley Hanson was chosen with pick seven by the Dash. Drafting a midfielder in the absence of Carli Lloyd and Andressinha was logical. Hanson may have an opportunity to compete for a significant amount of playing time in the Dash midfield.

Back to back picks at eight and nine allowed the Portland Thorns to add to their depth at midfield. Sandra Yu of Notre Dame and the University of Florida’s Gabby Seiler are expected to be able to fill in spots on the roster when needed. Yu is currently working on a graduate degree and will have to earn her way into the Thorn’s stacked starting lineup. Seiler will have to do the same but her versatility may help her to find time starting in various positions. Both players have the potential to excel in the NWSL.

With the tenth and final pick of the first round, the NWSL defending champions,  the North Carolina Courage selected Frannie Crouse from Penn State. Her speed and scrappy gameplay should make a good fit for the Courage style of play.

All photos are courtesy of Charlotte Thomas.