Alyssa Thompson, a teenage sensation, made history on Thursday as the first high school student to be drafted into the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL).
Dubbed a “generational player” by her new team Angel City, Thompson was drafted No. 1 overall, a significant achievement in her already impressive career.
Thompson has already earned two caps for the US Women’s National Team (USWNT), making her international debut at the young age of 17 in a friendly against European champion England at Wembley Stadium.
At 18 years old, Thompson has been a highly sought-after prospect for several years, showcasing her talents on the field from a young age.
In 2020, she and her younger sister Gisele joined the Total Futbol Academy, a boys’ club in the Major League Soccer’s academy system, MLS NEXT.
In May 2022, the Thompson sisters made history by signing a multiyear deal with Nike, becoming the first high school athletes to sign a brand name, image, and likeness agreement.
A native of Los Angeles, Thompson was named the 2021 High School Soccer Player of the Year after scoring 48 goals in 18 games while still attending Harvard-Westlake School as a senior.
In addition to her soccer skills, Thompson is also a talented track athlete, competing in the 100 meters during high school and recording top 10 times in the state of California over the course of three years.
According to Angel City, she had the sixth-fastest time in the state in 2022. With the ability to play in all three positions across the front line and midfield, Thompson impressed Angel City during her time at the club’s preseason training camp.
According to ESPN, Thompson had verbally agreed to play for Stanford next year but decided to forgo her college eligibility and entered the draft last week, a requirement for high school athletes if they want to be considered for the National Women’s Soccer League draft.
Thompson will continue her senior year of high school at Harvard-Westlake by taking online classes when the NWSL season starts on March 25th but will attend classes at the school when her schedule allows.
Thompson and her parents have said that obtaining a degree is still a priority while pursuing her professional soccer career, something Angel City said will help Thompson balance next year.
Thompson’s selection as the No. 1 pick in the draft continues her rapid ascent through the US soccer ranks. She will now regularly play in front of nearly 20,000 fans at Angel City’s Banc of California Stadium.
With the Women’s World Cup set to begin on July 20 in Australia and New Zealand, it’s possible Thompson earns a spot on the USWNT squad for the tournament.
Alyssa Thompson is a rising star in the world of soccer, making history as the first high school student to be drafted into the National Women’s Soccer League.
With impressive abilities on the field and a background in track and field, Thompson is a versatile athlete with a bright future ahead.
She has already earned two caps for the US Women’s National Team, and her selection as the No. 1 pick in the draft solidifies her status as a top prospect in the sport.
With her sights set on both a professional soccer career and obtaining a degree, Thompson is a determined and ambitious young athlete who will no doubt continue to make waves in the world of soccer.
