Angel City FC, Los Angeles’s National Women’s Soccer League (NSWL) team, selected girls soccer player Alyssa Thompson ’23 as the number one overall pick in the NWSL Draft on Thursday. She is the first high school player ever drafted into the NWSL.

Angel City participated in a four-team trade Jan. 5 to move up from picking fifth overall to picking first. When Thompson entered the draft this weekend, she decommitted from Stanford University, where she had agreed to attend as an 8th grader.

Girls Soccer Program Head Richard Simms, who coached Thompson in her freshman and sophomore seasons, said he is excited for Thompson and her family. 

“They are such tremendous supporters and vibrant members of the HW community that it makes it a great pleasure to cheer her on,” Simms said. “This is an incredible achievement and should be celebrated by all.”

Head of Athletics Terrence Barnum said the school is excited for Thompson’s professional future. 

“We are so proud of Alyssa and all that she has accomplished at Harvard-Westlake,” Barnum said. “More than just being a phenomenal athlete, she is an amazing person that has added to our community far beyond the soccer field.”