The 2023 NWSL year kicks off today with the NWSL Draft, taking place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The draft represents the first big league event of the new year as teams ramp up to the start of preseason at the end of January. With the FIFA Women’s World Cup kicking off later this summer, teams will be looking to the draft to build up their depth, as well as potentially find the next star of the league.

And of course, it is a place where teams can find future MVPs — just as the Portland Thorns did when they selected Sophia Smith three years ago.

After executing a blockbuster trade to acquire the number one pick, it is widely expected that Angel City FC will select 18-year-old phenom Alyssa Thompson to kick off the draft. After that, teams will have perhaps the deepest pool of draft-eligible players ever to select from as they build out their rosters.

The Portland Thorns have their first pick at fifth overall, which they acquired as part of the aforementioned trade which saw Yazmeen Ryan traded to NJ/NY Gotham FC. The reigning NWSL Champions also hold selections 12, 24, 36, and 48.

Trades of course may always change that, but for now the Thorns will be selecting five players to complete their roster as they mount their title defense in 2023.

Will Portland find another Sophia Smith or Morgan Weaver? Will they swing a trade to build up more assets — or perhaps acquire another player? We’ll find out in a few hours.

Leave your thoughts and commentary in the cpmments below!

Pre-draft Reading

Melina and Phuoc put together a big draft preview for the Thorns, and also tock a crack and putting together a mock draft on how things might go down this afternoon.

The Thorns will have a new man in charge making picks today, as Mike Norris was introduced as the Thorns new head coach earlier this week.

How did the Thorns acquire the fifth pick? It was part of a big multi-team trade which saw midfielder Yazmeen Ryan traded to Gotham FC.

How to Watch

Location: Pennsylvania Convention Center | Pennsylvania, PA

Time: 3 p.m. PT

Watch: CBS Sports Network, Paramount+ and CBS Sports HQ (from 3 p.m. — 4 p.m. PT), Paramount+ and CBS Sports HQ (from 4 p.m. — 8 p.m. PT); NWSLSoccer.com and the NWSL’s YouTube channel (international viewers only)

Running list of Thorns selections

No. 5

No. 12

No. 24

No. 36

No. 48