Why the elimination of the NWSL Draft is already a success for players

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Nobody could blame you if you missed the signing of Carissa Boeckmann to the Portland Thorns over the weekend.

The former Florida State midfielder signed a one-year deal to most likely ride be a backup to Sam Coffey and Jessie Fleming. Plenty of rookies end up in the same situation; its unremarkable nature is what marks it.

Boeckmann’s contract was the 32nd professional contract an outgoing college player had signed with an National Women’s Soccer League team this offseason.

Only three players had done the same by February 17 last year. College players aren’t just signing more quickly than they did last season; they’ve found exponentially more opportunities to secure contracts both in the NWSL and outside of it, thanks in part to the formation of the new USL Super League.