2015 Mock NWSL College Draft

#1 Houston Dash – Morgan Brian, U. of Virginia

This pick is a closed deal. Brian has access to the full team of the USWNT and is only going to get better developing her dribbling skills and acquiring the experience necessary to become the greatest player in the country. She kowtows to no one and will not accept losing professionally, she will wear her pride on her sleeve during games and that will give the fans upstairs at BBVA Compass Field a lot to cheer about.

#2 Sky Blue FC – Sarah Killion, UCLA

Killion will work out all right for New Jersey. I bet there are GMs that rank her as the most bookwormy student of the game. Her soccer IQ will only become upwardly improved once she’s called up for good by the USWNT. I wouldn’t rule her out for Canada ’15.

#3 Western New York Flash – Sam Mewis, UCLA

Mewis is also a regular now on the USWNT, so arguably she’s either the best or second best player in this draft. In terms of baggage, she has some. In a good way, her sister is Kristie Mewis, who currently plays for Boston. The Mewis sisters are from Massachusetts. Sam says that she’ll "play anywhere," and yet there may be strictures on how long before she wants to play alongside Kristie. I feel as if they will eventually join forces, and yet it’s just my opinion, of course. Other than that, she is an elite player who effortlessly threads the needle on passes to elusive forwards.

#4 Western New York Flash – Abby Dahlkemper, UCLA

With the arrival of Chris Naimo as Technical Director of the Western New York Flash, I see him building around Abby Wambach with a youth movement that he designed as head coach of the LA Blues of the USL W-League. Dahlkemper, a monster on the defensive end, is an alum of Naimo’s, as is Mewis.

#5 Chicago Red Stars – Kristin Grubka, Florida State

Dunno if she should have fallen this far down in the draft and yet Chicago could upgrade its defense with her services. Grubka is careful back there and didn’t allow any shenanigans from strikers during the ‘Noles 2014 NCAA championship run. She could very well go higher in the draft.

#6 Western New York Flash – Danielle Colaprico, Virginia

A bona fide midfielder, Colaprico has shown strong evidence that she's ready to play at the next level. She has just earned a call-up to the USWNT U-23 training cap. The Flash have nothing to worry about when drafting this multifaceted midfielder.

EDIT: A previous version of this article had selected Ally Courtnall for Western New York, but it was pointed out that she has not declared herself for the draft.

#7 Western New York Flash – Choima Ubogagu, Stanford

No worries at all, the Flash have yet another pick in this first round in case they’re not satisfied with their previous selections. I’m not a mock draft guru here, and yet I predict Naimo brings another member of the LA Blues aboard, Obogagu is an electrifying forward and it’s hard to walk away from the game when Stanford is on. If the playing time is there, I could see her score goals to the tune of double-figures. Granted, the Flash are in rebuilding mode so the chances may not be there in bunches, and yet Obugagu is ready to break out from her middling college career and capitalize as Wambach’s sidekick.

#8 Chicago Red Stars – Arin Gilliland, Kentucky

Gilliand is responsive both as a scorer and sweeper, so in a World Cup year, she’s the perfect antidote if Lori Chalupny and certainly Christen Press are off to this summer’s World Cup. Gilliand is also currently training with the U-23 USWNT squad so there’s room for real growth here. She’s a desirable choice at no. 8.

#9 Boston Breakers – Jamia Fields, Florida State

In an attempt to replace Kansas City-bound Heather O’Reilly, it seems like destiny for Fields to be a first rounder. She outplayed UVA midfielders in the College Cup final last year, plus she scored the championship-clinching goal.