Error message

  • Notice: Undefined index: nid in views_handler_field_term_node_tid->pre_render() (line 98 of /var/www/html/docroot/sites/all/modules/views/modules/taxonomy/views_handler_field_term_node_tid.inc).
  • Notice: Undefined index: nid in views_handler_field_term_node_tid->pre_render() (line 98 of /var/www/html/docroot/sites/all/modules/views/modules/taxonomy/views_handler_field_term_node_tid.inc).
×

News

Chicago Makes Obvious Choice With No. 1 Pick In NWSL College Draft

When Tierna Davidson made official her decision to forgo her senior season at Stanford and enter the 2019 NWSL College Draft days before the draft, it became pretty apparent who Chicago would take with the No. 1 pick.

It became official on Thursday in Chicago, with the Red Stars tabbing the USWNT defender as the first pick of the NWSL College Draft.

Davidson was unable to be at the draft in person because she was in Portugal training with the USWNT, which has a couple friendlies coming up against France (Jan. 19) and Spain (Jan. 22). Fortunately, she knew in advance she’d be the No. 1 pick and had a video message prepared.

Wouldn’t that have been awkward if Chicago had traded the pick or gone with someone else?

Davidson, born one day after Christian Pulisic, already has 12 caps and one goal with the USWNT at the age of 20. She helped Stanford win the 2017 women’s soccer championship and was a part of the USWNT winning the SheBelieves Cup and Tournament of Nations in 2018. 

2019 NWSL College Draft

2019 NWSL College Draft in Chicago. Photo: Matt Jenkins | The18

After Davidson, the Sky Blue took Hailie Mace of UCLA with the No. 2 pick.

The rest of the 2019 NWSL College Draft first round was dominated by loud background music — making it nearly impossible to hear the announcers — and the Washington Spirit taking four of the top eight picks. Washington traded the No. 29 pick and three players (to be named later) for the No. 3 pick, which was used to take Stanford midfielder Jordan DiBiasi.

Oddly, among the nine picks in the first round, only three different teams made picks: Red Stars, Spirit (four), Sky Blue (two) and Courage (two).

Here’s how the first round shook out:

2019 NWSL College Draft First Round

No. 1 — Chicago Red Stars

Tierna Davidson, Stanford

No. 2 — Sky Blue

Hailie Mace, UCLA

No. 3 — Washington Spirit

Jordan DiBiasi, Stanford

No. 4 — Washington Spirit

Sam Staab, Clemson

No. 5 — NC Courage

Leah Pruitt, USC

(What, you couldn’t find a photo without a watermark?)

No. 6 — Sky Blue FC

Julia Ashley, North Carolina

No. 7 — Washington Spirit

Tegan McGrady, Stanford

No. 8 — Washington Spirit

Dorian Bailey, North Carolina

No. 9 — NC Courage

Hailey Harbison, Pepperdine

2019 NWSL College Draft Second Round

Just as Washington dominated the first round, the Houston Dash dominated the second, with four picks. Sky Blue also had two more picks, starting with the first in the second round. 

No. 10 — Sky Blue FC

Paige Monaghan, Butler

No. 11 — Sky Blue FC

Julie James, Baylor

No. 12 — Houston Dash

Ally Prisock, USC

No. 13 — Houston Dash

CeCe Kizer, Ole Miss

No. 14 — NC Courage

Lauren Milliet, Colorado College

No. 15 — Chicago Red Stars

Maria Sanchez, Santa Clara

No. 16 — Houston Dash

Betsy Brandon, Virginia

No. 17 — Washington Spirit

Bayley Feist, Wake Forest

No. 18 — Houston Dash

Kayla McCoy, Duke

2019 NWSL College Draft Third Round

2019 NWSL College Draft Fourth Round

Videos you might like