10 NWSL Draftees and the Youth Clubs They Played For

January 30, 2023
By Kayleigh Toney

The 2023 NWSL Draft took place on January 12 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was a great event with lots of excitement. This year the draft returned to the in-person format after three years of virtual drafts due to the pandemic. Through four rounds, 48 draftees heard their names called. Here’s a look at ten NWSL draftees and where they played club soccer.

Alyssa Thompson – Real So Cal/Total Futbol Academy

First on our list of 2023 NWSL draftees is Alyssa Thompson. The 18-year-old star was the first overall pick by Angel City FC. Thompson comes into the NWSL after spending some time with Real So Cal. However, the young star left Real So Cal to join Total Futbol Academy, a boys’ club part of MLS Next.

Alyssa Thompson. Remember the name. 💫

The MLS NEXT alumna goes No. 1 overall in the 2023 NWSL Draft to Angel City FC. From Studio City, the 18-year old forward is a product of Total Futbol Academy. pic.twitter.com/qxwAGDlKl4

— MLS NEXT (@MLSNEXT) January 12, 2023

Haley Hopkins – Slammers FC ECNL (Virginia)

Hopkins was drafted in the first round with the 11th pick by the North Carolina Courage. She was one of four first-round picks for the Courage. The forward from California played for Slammers FC ECNL. She became the 12th player from Slammers FC to be drafted into the NWSL. Hopkins went on to play at Vanderbilt, where she spent four years before transferring to Virginia.

Another @slammersfc Alum is making her way to the @NWSL. Congrats, Haley Hopkins! https://t.co/TIRiv9PQEm

— ECNL Girls (@ECNLgirls) January 13, 2023

Reyna Reyes – F.C. Dallas (Alabama)

The Portland Thorns got a great player when they drafted Reyes out of Alabama with the fifth overall pick. Reyes is from Garland, Texas. She played her club soccer with F.C. Dallas Girls Academy for 12 years and joined the club when she was six years old. While with F.C. Dallas, she represented the Mexican National team at the youth level. In 2021, she earned her first cap for the senior national team.

In case you didn't know already…

FC Dallas Girls Academy and WPSL Alumni @reynareyes0216 is off to @ThornsFC and we couldn't be more proud!#DTID 🤝 #BAONPDX pic.twitter.com/ZlgHQl2LNC

— FC Dallas Women (@FCDwomen) January 13, 2023

Jordan Silkowitz – McLean Youth Soccer (Iowa State)

A native of Fairfax, Virginia, Silkowitz played three years for McLean Youth Soccer in the ECNL. She played for two years at Ohio State before transferring to Iowa State. The Kansas City Current drafted her in the second round, and she was the first goalkeeper to be selected.

Wearing red and teal already 😍 @jordansilkowitz pic.twitter.com/tqDlIGjjEJ

— KC Current (@thekccurrent) January 13, 2023

Civana Kuhlmann – Colorado Rush (Colorado)

Before Kuhlmann went on to star at Stanford and Colorado, she played her club career at Colorado Rush. The Washington Spirit selected the forward in the fourth round with the 37th pick.

𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗲: Civana Kuhlmann

Rocket power from the newest Spirit 🚀🔥 pic.twitter.com/z7g9DLTTL8

— Washington Spirit (@WashSpirit) January 22, 2023

Penelope Hocking – SoCal Blues (Penn State)

The Chicago Red Stars selected Hocking in the first round with the seventh pick. The forward played four years with USC and then transferred to Penn State. Before college, she played club soccer at SoCal Blues. She played for the Blues with her twin sister, Iliana, who was also drafted in the 2023 NWSL Draft by NJ/NY Gotham FC!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by So Cal Blues Soccer (@s.c.blues)

Shae Holmes – Real Colorado (Washington)

Holmes was a captain for Real Colorado for six years during her club career. While there, she was named an NCSA All-American on three separate occasions. Other notable players from Real Colorado include Jaelin Howell and Sophia Smith. OL Reign drafted the defender in the second round with pick No. 19.

Unbelievable journey Shae! We have loved watching you as a player and in awe of your character and grit as a person! Go get it @_shaeholmes!! #ThisIsReal https://t.co/YjiOtY0esy

— Real Colorado Soccer (@RealColoSoccer) January 13, 2023

Riley Mattingly Parker – Solar Soccer Club (Alabama)

From Flower Mound, Texas, the forward played club soccer with Solar Soccer Club. During her time there, she helped Solar win three straight ECNL Texas Conference Championships from 2015-17. Fellow 2023 draftee Messiah Bright also played for Solar.

From Solar standout to NWSL Draftee, Riley Mattingly Parker is the definition of defining all odds. From a tough ACL tear to setting the college soccer world on fire, we're excited to tune into the continuing success into her professional days! #SolarNation #WeAreSolar pic.twitter.com/58gpGzDrmO

— Solar Soccer Club (@solar_soccer) January 26, 2023

Izzy D’Aquila – SoCal Blues (Santa Clara)

D’Aquila was a terrific goal scorer with SoCal Blues. While with the club, she helped them win their conference six times, the Surf Cup four times, USYS Regional Championship twice, and the ECNL Championship twice in 2016 and 2018. The forward won the golden boot in all of those competitions. The Portland Thorns selected her with the 12th pick in the draft.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by So Cal Blues Soccer (@s.c.blues)

Jylissa Harris – PDA Gunners/Sky Blue (South Carolina)

Last but not least on our list of NWSL draftees is Jylissa Harris. A New Jersey native, Harris played for PDA Gunners and Sky Blue in the ECNL. The Houston Dash selected the defender in the second round.