2010 WPS Mock Draft

Kevin Albertina, lead writer at Women's Soccer Weekly, published a 2010 WPS Mock Draft as the real draft begins tomorrow at 10am in Philadelphia.

1. Atlanta-Tobin Heath, MF, North Carolina…..While Atlanta needs defenders, they won’t be able to pass up the most talented player in the draft. A player you can build a team around and will make her teammates better.

2. Boston-Lauren Cheney, F, UCLA….Another team that needs defense, but Cheney is too good to pass on. Strong player and can get off a shot in tight space. Composed. Equally adept at shooting or passing. A lot of National Team experience.

3. FC Gold Pride-Kelley O’Hara, Stanford…..Gold Pride needs a scoring punch and O’Hara should pair well with Sinclair. Fast and tenacious. A born scorer who can also set up others.

4. Chicago-Casey Nogueira, F, North Carolina…..Chicago also needs scoring and Nogueira fits. One of the greatest clutch scorers in college soccer. The only thing lacking is consistency.

5. Los Angeles-Whitney Engen, D, North Carolina…..With Falk and Franko gone, LA needs a central defender and there is none better than Engen. Determined defender and tackler in the mode of Rachel Buehler.

6. Sky Blue FC-Brittany Taylor, D, Connecticut…..Sky Blue will need a central defender that can step right in for Rampone and Asante. Taylor is a tough central defender and also has played with Sky Blue’s W-League affiliate which could be a key here as well.

7. Washington-Ali Riley, D, Stanford…..The Freedom need to shore up their defense and Riley will help. Very good defensively, but can be an offensive threat on forward runs as well.

8. Los Angeles-Nikki Washington, MF, North Carolina…..With Abily gone, LA looks to Washington. Suffered an injury in the fall, but when healthy, she is one of the most exciting mids in women’s soccer. Very dangerous on the right side and can also play forward.

9. Los Angeles-Kaley Fountain, F/D, Wake Forest…..A versatile player who can play both ends of the field. 11 goals and 10 assists in her senior season at Wake. Perhaps, another Brittany Bock.

10. FC Gold Pride-Becky Edwards, MF/D, Florida State…..The best defensive mid in the draft. Can shut down good forwards. Sees the field and distributes well. Played defender most of career.

11. Boston-Nikki Marshall, F/D, Colorado…..Another versatile player who is a solid forward for Colorado. Can fill the need at defender as well. Started all 6 games for DiCicco in 2008 U-20 World Cup as a central defender.

12. FC Gold Pride-Kelsey Davis, GK, Portland…..A tough call between Davis or Naeher. Very athletic keeper in the mode of Hope Solo. Extensive junior national team experience. Career goals against under 0.45 at Portland.

13. Philadelphia-Katie Schoepfer, F, Penn State…..Philly needs a scorer and Schoepfer will provide that. Scored 9 goals in just 6 games for U-23 team in 2009. A good target forward.

14. Los Angeles-Gina DiMartino, F/MF, Boston College…..The Sol get their 2nd DiMartino in a week. Like her sister Tina, she has great with the ball at her feet and is an excellent passer.

15. Chicago-Alyssa Naeher, GK, Penn State-The Red Stars need a backup for Jonsson. Starting keeper for the 2008 U-20 World Cup champions. Decent size and excellent agility. Just called up to USWNT camp.

16. Boston-Ashlyn Harris, GK, North Carolina-Boston also needs a keeper and they get Harris. Aggressive keeper who shut out 5 opponents in 6 NCAA Tournament games in 2009.

17. Saint Louis-Kristi Eveland, D, North Carolina-Barcellos addresses playoff weakness against Sky Blue by getting a solid right back. Great speed and size and can be a weapon on corners with her heading ability.

18. Washington-Carolyn Blank, MF, West Virginia-A tough, aggressive defensive mid that will enable the Freedom to move Homare Sawa into the attack where she can be most effective.

19. Saint Louis-Kiersten Dallstream, F, Washington State-Athletica adds an offensive threat to team with Aluko and Edlund. Scored 13 goals and 7 assists for WSU in 2009. Versatile…played outside defender with 2008 U-20 team.

20. FC Gold Pride-Kat Reynolds, D/F, Santa Clara-Gold Pride gets another versatile player who can play several positions. Adds depth defensively for FCGP.

Note: Michelle Enyeart would have undoubtedly been a 1st round pick if it weren’t for her late season injury. I wasn’t sure whether any team will take a chance in the first two rounds on a player not likely to be able to play until June or July.

Also, I wouldn’t be surprised if Los Angeles packages a couple of their picks to move up.