The NWSL Draft 2023 Preview is finally here. Teams have different needs and priorities. Here’s what to expect from each club:
Angel City FC
- Picks: #1, #27
- Team Needs: Central Midfield
- High stress, high tempo games
- Struggled to control the game tempo
Chicago Red Stars
- Picks: #7, #14, #19, #43
- Team Needs: Defensive/box-to-box midfielders, and wingbacks
- In rebuild mode
- Cleared house of midfielders
- Desperately needs defensive upgrades
Houston Dash
- Picks: #8, #20, #22
- Team Needs: Passers, attacking players
- Well-balanced roster
- Need attackers after Nichelle Prince tore her achilles
- Transitioning to possession heavy game plan
Kansas City Current
- Picks: #10, #15, #18, #35, #38, #42, #47
- Team Needs: Center back, Wingback
- Just went to the NWSL Championship and signed huge free agents
- Could potentially use their picks to trade up for top talent
NJ/NY Gotham FC
- Picks: #2, #13, #44
- Team Needs: Defensive athleticism
- Defenders don’t do well in the open field
- Can’t rely on their emergency defender anymore due to injury
North Carolina Courage
- Picks: #6, #9, #11, #30
- Team Needs: Attacking midfielders, ball-winners, defensive depth
- Lacks consistency in the midfield
OL Reign
- Picks: #23, #32, #46
- Team Needs: Speed
- Unable to stretch the field
- Lacks burst acceleration
Orlando Pride
- Picks: #3, #21, #25, #29, #34, #39, #41
- Team Needs: Ball progression
- Beat on the half-turn and pressure resilience
Portland Thorns FC
- Picks: #5, #12, #24, #36, #48
- Team Needs: Nothing
- Defensive versatility and roster depth
Racing Louisville FC
- Picks: #4, #16, #17, #28, #31, #40
- Team Needs: Defenders
- Needs a complete rebuild
- A compliment to Jaelin Howell
- Stay at home midfielder
San Diego Wave FC
- Picks: #33, #45
- Team Needs: Non-forward depth
- Defensive help or utility players
Washington Spirit
- Picks: #26, #37
- Team Needs: Defenders, especially fullbacks
You can watch the NWSL Draft 2023 live on CBS Sports Network and Paramount+. Let us know know if our NWSL Draft 2023 Preview was spot on.
