LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Angel City FC on Thursday selected 18-year-old Alyssa Thompson with the first pick of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) draft, making the Los Angeles native the first player in league history drafted directly out of high school.
"Alyssa Thompson, for us, is a phenom and generational player," said Angel City general manager Angela Hucles Mangano.
Thompson is the youngest draft pick in league history and is still in high school at L.A.'s Harvard-Westlake. She declared for the draft last week, opting to forgo her college eligibility and potential overseas offers to suit up for her hometown team."There were so many back and forths about it, but in the end, I decided that it was the best for me."
"As a forward, you obviously like to get the ball," said the speedy Thompson, a former track and field athlete who specialized in the 100 meters. Angel City is looking to take the next step after making its splashy debut last season as a celebrity-backed expansion team playing in the electric atmosphere of the Banc of California Stadium in Exposition Park.
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