So You’re Drafted to the NWSL, Now What?

February 1, 2024
By Jesse McDonough

It’s January 12, and you’re on top of the world. Out of 56 spots, your name gets announced, calling you to claim your destiny–being drafted to the NWSL and becoming a professional soccer player. You’ve been dreaming of this moment since you were a little girl. You’re swept up in a rush of excitement with friends and family celebrating, taking photos with your new team’s merch. You just have one question.

Now what?

The truth is, many of us have no idea what happens between the draft and the start of the NWSL season for these newly draftees. What is it like coming into a new team? When do you leave for preseason camp? When can you expect–or hope–for a contract? What if there is no contract? Girls Soccer Network and Parkside Cards wanted to find out what this gray area was like, so we reached out to a few players, newly drafted from the 2024 NWSL draft and some from previous draft cycles. Hailing from all different NWSL teams, each had a very different journey that got them where they are today.

Sam Cary, Racing Louisville’s fourth-round draft pick at #48 from Iowa (their very first!). Eternally grateful, this was a moment she, like many soccer players, had dreamed of. “I do feel extremely lucky to have been given a shot by Louisville and have a group that had enough belief in me to draft me,” said Cary.

The fairytale dream feeling doesn’t last long, though–Cary had a week to move and begin playing at the highest level amongst Olympians and personal idols. On the one hand, you want to acclimate to your environment as quickly as possible, but on the other, you don’t want to settle in too much because, without a contract, anything is possible. You may not be there for long.

Laveni Vaka, Bay FC’s fourth-round pick (#55), echoes some of Sam’s sentiments, having only three days before she had to pack up most of what she owned and relocate to the Bay Area. This move is no doubt filled with excitement for new beginnings and the start of an incredible journey.

Vaka’s draft pick went viral after being called and sharing an emotional moment with her twin sister, as she became the first ever Tongan player to be drafted to the NWSL.

However, it is the lack of security that keeps the anxiety hanging in the air for these players. Cary and Vaka are competing against other draftees for a limited number of contracts, and both acknowledge the emotional rollercoaster they’re on and the pressure that comes with it.

For Vaka, her situation is more intense. Because Bay FC is a newly developed team, they invited 13 additional players to try out, substantially higher than the handful of players teams normally invite. With so many unknowns and no guaranteed insight, you could understand why this is an incredibly intense time for these drafted players.

The veterans and returners understand this, though. Cary commented on how welcoming everyone was on Racing Louisville FC, knowing that they were in her place not too long ago. And despite the adversity these players are facing, there is an overall mindset of grit and gratitude, perhaps an insight into why/how these players have been so successful.

“Though I know I still have to work on and grow in my game, I am grateful for the opportunity to fight for my spot. I have to believe that Louisville drafted me for a reason and I can only do my best every day and be the Sam Cary that I am and keep working for that is meant to happen.” – Sam Cary

Not all players take this same route of competing for a contract after the draft; some choose to pursue more compelling opportunities, while others seek a second chance.

Madison Hammond, who signed a contract with OL Reign FC in 2020 and now plays for ACFC, had put her name in the draft but was unfortunately not selected. She turned to Europe and attempted to sign with a team in Spain, but that also fell through.

Reign invited her to a tryout in March 2020, but that was quickly shut down when the pandemic hit. It wasn’t until May when the NWSL Challenge Cup was held in Utah, that Hammond was invited again to Reign’s camp for a tryout. She took her chance and made the most of it, signing a 2-year contract.

Kyra Carusa, now a San Diego Wave attacker returning for her second season, was selected by Sky Blue (now Gotham FC) in the third round of the 2019 NWSL draft (19th overall). However, she chose to sign abroad, honing her skills in France, Denmark, and England. Starting with a Division 2 French team, Le Havre AC, she signed shortly after with a 2nd tier Denmark team, HB Køge, successfully promoting the team to the top division and qualifying for the Women’s Champions League.

After back-to-back Danish league championships, Carusa signed with the London City Lionesses to fulfill her dream of playing in England. She was also busy internationally, becoming a starter for the Irish Women’s National Team. Carusa’s European success created quite the buzz over in the NWSL, leading to her contract with the San Diego Wave in 2023. She just recently re-signed for another 1-year commitment.

So, in summary, the answer to our simple question, “Now what?” is far more complex than we imagined and far from the fairytale moments experienced in the draft. The gray area these players enter afterward is full of uncertainty, challenges, and competition. We hope this sheds some light on the journey these players embark on, and we hope to continue to share their incredible stories along the way.