KC Current GM explains NWSL draft-day blockbuster: ‘We made this move for Michelle’
Usually, the talk of draft night ends up being who went first overall. But the Kansas City Current found a way to steal the show from the second position ... after a trade, that is.
When National Women’s Soccer League commissioner Jessica Berman announced that a trade had been approved sending the second overall pick to the Kansas City Current in exchange for Lynn Williams, audible gasps in the draft hall in Philadelphia could be heard.
“This decision was about Michelle for us,” Current general manager Camille Levin-Ashton said in a post-draft press conference.
The Current used that pick on Duke forward Michelle Cooper, one of the brightest collegiate talents in recent memory. Cooper was widely considered the likely No. 1 overall pick after winning the Mac Hermann trophy — college soccer’s equivalent to the Heisman — in her sophomore year, until it was reported late last week that Angel City FC had traded into the top spot to select Alyssa Thompson, a high schooler who entered the draft late in the process.
So why did the Current feel so comfortable trading away a known commodity for someone so young? The Current got to see her up close this summer, and Levin-Ashton said they tracked her fall season very closely. Yes, the one where Cooper contributed to some 30 goals — 19 goals and 11 assists — in 22 games.
Pretty convincing. But convincing enough to move on from Williams, even if she’s returning from a year-long injury absence?
“The decision, … that’s the tough part of this job sometimes,” Levin-Ashton said. “But ultimately, the decision was made because of Michelle and how important she will be to this team moving forward.”
The move is a gamble, but it’s one made easier considering the Current will return their top three goalscorers from last season — and they’ve already added star forward Debinha, an MVP candidate from the last year. So goals shouldn’t be a problem with or without Williams.
“We’re choosing to see the potential of what can happen now,” coach Matt Potter said.
Potter will be the one who deploys Cooper on the field, a job many NWSL coaches likely envy. While Potter lauded Cooper’s on-field talents, he noted what she brings off the field as well.
“She’s an incredible competitor and an incredible person that wants to learn and get better,” Potter said. “All of those characteristics fit very much within the strategy that Cami and her group have had in terms of draft or in the recruitment of players. I feel very fortunate I get to work with Michelle.”
Cooper is equally excited to get started. She was shocked at the trade as much as anybody else.
“My heart dropped into my stomach and skipped a beat,” Cooper said. “I crossed my fingers that it would be me. When it was, … (I had) tears, excitement, all of the good emotions. I can’t wait.”
Given her exposure to the Current over the summer, and knowledge of a new stadium on the way, Cooper is especially fired up.
“It’s very exciting to know that Kansas City is taking steps in the right direction and being the first in the league to do that,” Cooper said. “I think I’ll bring intensity, a good time, and hopefully represent the city well.”
This story was originally published January 13, 2023 at 1:27 PM with the headline "KC Current GM explains NWSL draft-day blockbuster: ‘We made this move for Michelle’."