High school student Thompson selected first in NWSL draft
Harvard-Westlake's Alyssa Thompson looks to pass during a girls soccer CIF playoff soccer game against San Clemente at Harvard-Westlake in Studio City, Calif., Friday, May 14, 2021. Thompson was the top pick Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023, in the National Women’s Soccer League draft by Angel City, becoming the first high school player to be selected in the history of the league. (Hans Gutknecht/The Orange County Register via AP)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/Hans Gutknecht]
Alyssa Thompson was the top pick in the National Women’s Soccer League draft by Angel City, becoming the first high school player to be selected in the history of the league. Thompson is an 18-year-old forward out of Harvard-Westlake High School in Los Angeles who declared her eligibility for the draft last week. She initially committed to Stanford. The draft was held as the pro league prepares for its 11th season amid the ongoing fallout from a pair of investigations into coach misconduct.
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FILE - Portland Thorns forward Sophia Smith holds the MVP trophy after the team's NWSL championship soccer match against the Kansas City Current, Oct. 29, 2022, in Washington. At left is NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman. Alyssa Thompson was the top pick in the NWSL draft by Angel City on Thursday, Jan. 12, becoming the first high school player to be selected in the history of the league. In the hours before the draft, Berman spoke to reporters at length about the state of the 12-team league. (AP Photo/Nick Wass, File)
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Nick Wass