Some interesting moves from the Dash who overall didn't really need that much this year with the international signings. Curious what Campbell will mean in regards to the keeper situation. With Henninger trying to make her way up the Mexico depth chart I would think she needs to be starting somewhere so could see her being loaned/looking overseas if Williams is coming back. Prince adds depth for when Daly likely misses games for Euros. Don't know much about Erin Smith but that would also be possible depth. Also, after a 2016 year with quite a few international players drafted, there was only one true international this year as I don't think Sheridan has US citizenship but I may be wrong on that. Only 3-2? Not thinking big enough here.
Nice article on Boston's draft day, but also gives a slight insight of how the trades or non-trades developed with other teams, like Chicago for instance. http://www.fourfourtwo.com/us/featu...urce=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_m_medium=t
Here's a few: Ellie Boon, Simone Kolander, Jordan Jesolva, Chelsea Drennan, Josee Stiever, Mimi Rangel, Hannah Seabert, Lindsey Harris, Marina Paul, Victoria Barba, Hannah Wilkinson, Hanna Gardner, Marti Corby, Ashley Herndon
Has anyone here seen Lindsay Agnew play? I have seen highlite videos and was impressed. How good is she?
Yeah, when scouting Devon Kerr, it's easy to notice Agnew. She is very talented, but feel she is closer to reaching her peak potential than some of the other players in this draft. You can watch Agnew, Devon Kerr, Nichelle Prince, and Madison Tiernan here.
Draft Grades: (includes each team's best draft picks, and the rookies that have the best shot to make each team's roster) 1.) FC Kansas City Drafted: Christina Gibbons (D/MF), Toni Payne (MF), Stephanie Ribeiro (F), Alexis Schaffer (F/MF) Summary: Gibbons and Payne have youth national team experience. Ribeiro is a goal scoring machine. Grade: "A" 2.) Sky Blue FC Drafted: Kayla Mills (D), Mandy Freeman (D), Kailen Sheridan (GK), Madison Tiernan (F), McKenzie Meehan (F) Summary: This is the best draft that Sky Blue has ever had. Gibbons & Payne are why FCKC is slightly ahead. Grade: "A-" 3.) Boston Breakers Drafted: Rose Lavelle (MF), Morgan Andrews (MF), Ife Onumonu (F/MF), Midge Purce (F), Hayley Dowd (F) Summary: It's crazy that Boston didn't have the best draft. It's still solid, but should have taken Freeman at #9. Grade: "B+" Expanded Summary: (Boston traded #12, #16, and #21 to Chicago for #8 and #38. They also traded #11 to Chicago for a pick next year. They could've had Freeman at #9, Onumonu at #11, Purce at #12, Jordan at #16, Meehan at #21, and Driesse at #31. They could have picked up Hayley Dowd as a rookie free agent after the draft (she wouldn't have gotten drafted). As a result, they could've had: Lavelle, Andrews, Freeman, Onumonu, Purce, Jordan, Meehan, Driesse, and Dowd. Instead, they ended up with Lavelle, Andrews, Onumonu, Purce, Prudhomme, Dowd, and 2nd round pick next year. They could have had Freeman, Jordan (rights), and Driesse to basically what they already had (sans Prudhomme). And if Jordan doesn't play for them, they use her as a trade chip in the future, possibly to acquire a Thorns #1 pick. Or someone else's first round pick in 2018, which is better than 2nd round pick they got next year from Chicago. Chicago's 2nd round pick they received next year could be #24 overall, if the Red Stars win the table this year. 4.) Portland Thorns Drafted: Rachel Hill (F/MF), Savannah Jordan (F), Tyler Lussi (F/MF/OB) Summary: No one thought the Thorns could pull off a draft like this, based on what picks they had coming in. Grade: "B+" 5.) Seattle Reign Drafted: Maddie Bauer (D), Katie Johnson (F), Arielle Ship (F) Summary: Seattle couldn't have asked for a better draft, based on what they had. Bauer is the best defender in the draft, and Arielle Ship (Baby Morgan from Cal) at #26 is a steal. Katie Johnson is probably a super sub for them. Grade: "B" 6.) North Carolina Courage Drafted: Ashley Hatch (F), Darian Jenkins (F/MF), Claire Wagner (D), Jaycie Johnson (F/MF) Summary: Hatch is future USWNT. Jenkins has a galaxy of potential, but injury prone and inconsistent. Grade: "B-" 7.) Houston Dash Drafted: Jane Campbell (GK), Nichelle Prince (F) Summary: The Dash weren't supposed to have much of a draft this year. They picked up two national teamers. Grade: "B-" 8.) Chicago Red Stars Drafted: Michele Vasconselos (F/MF), Morgan Proffitt (MF/D/DM) Summary: They went for additions that could help their club. Chicago is now much better equipped for expansion. Grade: "C+" (which is quite good for only having two draft picks who will make their roster) 9. Washington Spirit Drafted: Lindsay Agnew (F), Megan Dougherty Howard (MF/D), Cameron Castleberry (MF) Summary: There are no impact players here, but solid role players who should still help their squad. Grade: "D+" 10.) Orlando Pride Drafted: Danica Evans (F), Nickolette Driesse (MF) Summary: Driesse is a very good prospect, and if healthy & consistent, she should made their roster. Grade: "D" (could have had better forwards at #22 overall, including Arielle Ship)
When writers/reporters talk to players after the draft, it would be educational to know if players have thought about the timing of what is, for most, the last semester of college education. Have they already graduated? Are they planning to delay the semester and take classes in the fall? Are they able to report to camp and games while finishing up? It's obvious the money involved in playing in the NWSL isn't enough to make most forego the last paid semester of college, so it's useful to know who will come right into camp and who will wait until graduation and who will be spread thin. (And there are some like Midge Purce who can pretty much finish up while being part of the team without making any changes).
I think that is why SB likes to draft/sign Rutgers players and Jersey natives, solves a lot of issues such as finishing classes/degrees and housing.
Absolute STEAL for the 18th pick of the draft (it was a good draft class in 2017). If Jordan would have been in a bad draft class, she would be worth #1 or #2 overall. She was no worse than the #4 or #5 overall talent in a good class. The Thorns had the best draft last year in relation to expectations coming in to the draft. They were able to draft Tyler Lussi at #21 (steal), Savannah Jordan (steal), and Rachel Hill. They then traded Hill to Orlando for a 2018 first round pick (which should be middle 1st round). Portland could attempt to trade up for the #1 overall pick. Maybe that mid first round pick plus Horan, and draft Andi Sullivan (if healthy, and in the draft).