The Top 10 Moments From the 2024 NWSL Draft

The NWSL Draft is a massive night for the league and players alike. All 14 teams had the chance to build a dynasty through the draft, and 56 players were able to see their dreams come true. There’s a lot we need to catch you up on. Here are the top ten moments from the NWSL Draft.

 

1. Iowa and GSN’s Very Own Sam Cary Got Drafted by Louisville 

This is biased, but we had to put this moment at the top of the list. It was a special moment to watch Sam Cary hear her name called at the end of the fourth. Sam celebrated with her family in an emotional moment, and our team went crazy. We could not be happier for Sam. Racing Louisville is getting a leader and winner who is versatile and fierce, and this was a late-round steal and a perfect fit for her and Louisville.

A member of our 2022 @USLWLeague team is headed to the first team!

With the 48th pick, #RacingLou selects Sam Cary! pic.twitter.com/ADLpE0KSFH

— Racing Louisville FC (@RacingLouFC) January 13, 2024

 

2. Young Stars Go No. 1 and No. 2

Ally Sentnor was a late entry into the draft as she decided to forgo her remaining eligibility at North Carolina. That decision paid off immensely as the Utah Royals took the starlet No. 1 overall. The league’s stars are getting younger and younger, as Sentnor is still 19.

The first draft pick of the 2024 NWSL Draft is Ally Sentnor ✅ pic.twitter.com/ySeRw3c9t8

— Attacking Third (@AttackingThird) January 13, 2024

Her college teammate Savy King, who was also a late entry, is 18 and was taken No. 2 overall by Bay FC. One thing is clear: age is just a number, and you don’t have to be a three or four-year college star to be taken early in the draft.

History in the making.

With the second overall pick, Savy King will join @wearebayfc ahead of its inaugural season as the 14th expansion club in the @nwsl! pic.twitter.com/tGtQdM6vIS

— UNC Women's Soccer (@uncwomenssoccer) January 15, 2024

Times are changing in the NWSL, and as the stars that enter the league get younger, the NWSL will continue to evolve and go to a new level.

 

3. LeiLanni Nesbeth and Lorne Donaldson Are BFFs Already

The Chicago Red Stars selected LeiLanni Nesbeth towards the end of the first round, and it was a home run. Nesbeth won multiple national championships at Florida State and played for the Bermuda national team. Lorne Donaldson is Jamaican and just led Jamaica to the Round of 16 at the World Cup. The Caribbean connection is strong between them, and they provided a great moment after getting drafted.

LeiLanni Nesbeth already with the interview of the #NWSL draft. Amidst discussion of her time at FSU, joked that she already talked with Red Stars HC Lorne Donaldson about getting some curry goat. "That's gonna be my first meal in Chicago, you heard it here." She's taking recs.

— Steph Yang | Horrible Soccer Goose (@thrace) January 13, 2024

 

4. Guest Picker Gives Shoutout to Grandma

When you get to announce a Draft pick on TV and use the opportunity to say hi to grandma. 🥹@Ally | #NWSLDraft pic.twitter.com/Fdu2zmWnSo

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) January 13, 2024

Emily Michelle Alvarez Huerta won the Ally Sweepstakes, which allowed her to announce the first pick of the second round at the NWSL Draft. Huerta did a great job announcing the pick, Jameese Joseph, out of NC State. Joseph is heading to Chicago, which is another excellent pick for the Red Stars. The best part of this is Huerta’s shoutout to her grandma; it was a hilariously cute moment.

 

5. Crowd Reactions to Trades and Timeouts

The fans who show up for the NWSL Draft make the event special because of their passion and energy. The group of fans at the draft were unafraid to voice their opinion on the various moves that teams were making. When the Ashley Sanchez trade to North Carolina was announced, the crowd had something to say.

Trade announced on the floor for Courage acquiring Ashley Sanchez here and audible "ohhhh" #NWSL

— Meg Linehan (@itsmeglinehan) January 13, 2024

Also, every time a team took a timeout, the fans booed loudly. These teams have plenty of time to figure out their draft board; taking multiple timeouts is embarrassing.

The fans in attendance at the NWSL Draft are booing every time a team takes a timeout.

— Kamran Nia (@kamran_nia) January 13, 2024

When you get more involved and fully engaged, the event becomes even more fun.

 

6. Meg Linehan’s Shoe Game Heat Check

Meg Linehan’s a sneakerhead, as seen on her Twitter account, where she documented some of the kicks from the NWSL Draft. Here’s a thread of what she found, and if you love sneakers, this is for you.

Decided this year to heat check the #NWSL draft. @LH1505 promised some heat, and delivered. (1/?) pic.twitter.com/VroGO3SJLr

— Meg Linehan (@itsmeglinehan) January 13, 2024

When it comes to the draft, the whole outfit has to be on point, especially the shoes.

 

7. North Carolina and Penn State Competing For More Draft Picks

Of the 56 selected players, 11 were from North Carolina and Penn State. It was like a heavyweight fight going back and forth to see which school would have more draftees. North Carolina produced more in the end, with six total draft picks. What’s more impressive is three of those picks were in the first round, showing how much elite talent the Tar Heels had on their roster these last few seasons.

 

8. Angel City vs. Bay FC and Patiently Waiting to Sing Their Hearts Out

Angel City didn’t have a pick in the draft until the third round, but the fans could make the trip with the draft in Anaheim. Bay FC fans were also in attendance, starting some back-and-forth between the fan bases. While there was playful banter with both sides, Angel City would sing as loudly as they could when their draft picks were taken. There’s an added buzz to the league with the new teams in California.

 

Looks like the start of a rivalry at the NWSL Draft.

Angel City and expansion club, Bay FC. pic.twitter.com/8zriWBigXd

— Kamran Nia (@kamran_nia) January 13, 2024

 

9. Laveni Vaka’s Family Moment

 While GSN had our moment with Sam Cary, a few picks later, Laveni Vaka, out of BYU, would have hers with her family.

The first but NOT the last 🇹🇴@lavenivaka is PAVING the way 🥹

(via @davianavaka1) | #NWSLDraft pic.twitter.com/i5KfuqWgO3

— TOGETHXR (@togethxr) January 13, 2024

It takes a village. Look at Laveni Vaka’s 🥹

Can’t imagine how it feels to be a late 4th round in-person pick at the NWSL Draft, but to have a support system like this? @wearebayfc games are going to be LOUD and full of so much love!! pic.twitter.com/8dLKAxbL82

— Maggie 🌷 (@maggiemyan) January 13, 2024

She would say in her interview that she was worried about not getting drafted, but she was one of the few players who couldn’t keep her emotions in, and you can see just how much it meant to her and her family; it was an incredible moment.

 

10. Hawaii Five-O Interrupted by Draft

Scripps Sports and ION took over NWSL Draft coverage from CBS. Whenever you start a new endeavor, it won’t be perfect. There were some small snags here and there, but overall, the media coverage of this draft was much better than last year.

Sadly, for those who watch ION and love Hawaii Five-O, the NWSL Draft was not for them.

Do we think there are diehard Hawaii Five-O marathoners are annoyed this cut into their show?

— Jenna Tonelli (@jennatonelli) January 13, 2024

 

We apologize to Hawaii Five-O fans, but they better prepare for next year because the NWSL Draft is coming again to take over ION. 

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