Entering its fourth season, the National Women's Soccer League is seeking to become the longest existing women's pro soccer league in US history. Riding the popularity of the USWNT upon winning the World Cup, attendance rose greatly after those players resumed playing with their respective clubs.
Can the league sustain the excitement created by the World Cup victory or will attendance fall off? A television deal with Fox Sports to broadcast ten league games will help, but a more secure investment from television will decide if the league will falter or prosper. Teams such as Western New York and Boston are struggling, and a flurry of coaching switches in Washington, Portland and New Jersey leave those squads in a moment of transition.
However, there are a bevy of talents to enjoy: Crystal Dunn, Allie Long, Carli Lloyd, Tobin Heath, Julie Johnston are just a few of the stars the league needs to build on. Tomorrow, forty new players will be drafted into the league, headlined by presumed top pick Emily Sonnett. Here is the 2016 NWSL mock draft:
The Draft
1 1 Portland Thorns FC (via ORL) Emily Sonnett, Defender, Virginia. Tough, mobile defender, who will step right in an make a difference for Mark Parsons' squad.
1 2 Portland Thorns FC (via BOS) Makenzy Doniak, Forward, Virginia. The speedy forward brings a wealth of US international experience which makes her battle ready.
1 3 Sky Blue FC Raquel Rodriguez, Midfielder, Penn State. If Thorns select Doniak, look for the Sky Blue and new HC Christy Holly to pounce on "Rocky" who can step in an make an immediate difference.
1 4 Seattle Reign FC (via WNYF) Katie Bowen, Midfielder/Defender, North Carolina. A bit of a gamble, due to the fact that she may not opt to play in the NWSL, however the New Zealand native brings terrific versatility and experience with the New Zealand National team.
1 5 Houston Dash (via SRFC/PTFC) Cari Roccaro, Defender, Notre Dame. The Dash need defense, the athletic and versatile (also played midfield and forward) is another who can step right in and make a difference.
1 6 Houston Dash Rachel Daly, Forward, St.John's. Dynamic goal scorer who is lethal anytime she gets near the goal. Will help ease the loss of Carli Lloyd and Morgan Brian during the Olympics, provided she sticks with the Dash, although the prospect of returning to her native England is a risk.
1 7 Washington Spirit Janine Beckie, Forward, Texas Tech. New Head Coach Jim Gabarra has one of the best already in Crystal Dunn, adding another striker with scoring punch would be a lethal 1-2 combo with Dunn.
1 8 Houston Dash (via FCKC) Brianne Reed, Defender, Rutgers. Easily one of the best center backs in college soccer the last few years, she is viewed to have a better ceiling in the pros over her Scarlet Knight teammate Erica Skronick.
1 9 Western New York Flash (via CRS) Leah Galton, Forward, Hofstra. Although not regarded as a top ten pick, she accumulated 122 points during her four year career, she can both score and create. Like Daly, she may scare off teams due to her international status.
1 10 Orlando Pride (via PTFC/SRFC)* Carson Pickett, Midfielder/Defender, Florida State. No way the Pride let the home state talent slip past them. Pickett is the best left-sided player in the draft, which makes her a hot commodity.