KC Current pick versatile right-back from Penn State, 2 goalkeepers in NWSL Draft

The NWSL Draft is always full of surprises. And Friday night’s edition provided the latest example.

But unlike last year, the Kansas City Current weren’t at the root of the chaos.

The Current entered this year’s draft, which took place during the United Soccer Coaches Convention in Anaheim, California, with three picks. They’d previously traded their natural first-round pick and Kate Del Fava for expansion draft protection and allocation money.

The Current used those selections to pick right-back Ellie Wheeler in the second round and goalkeepers Ella Maciewicz and Hope Hisey in the third and fourth rounds, respectively.

“I thought we selected three great players with abilities to play in our team, but also with a lot of potential,” Current coach and sporting director Vlatko Andonovski said. “Coming into this draft, we wanted to get an outside back and increase the competition in that position.

“But also, it was very important that we increase the competition in the goalkeeper position, as well.”

Kansas City spent its first selection, in Round 2 at No. 18 overall, on Wheeler, who played at Penn State. She scored a goal and recorded two assists during her senior season.

Wheeler was a four-year starter for the Nittany Lions, missing just one game during her collegiate career and earning All-Big Ten postseason honors. Before attending Penn State, she also made multiple U.S. Youth National Team rosters.

Andonovski, the former U.S. Women’s National Team coach, had been tracking her before she started college. He called her attacking mind “amazing” and mentioned that she was a prolific scorer at the youth level before transitioning to fullback in college.

“Her mindset hasn’t changed,” Andonovski said. “She’s very good in solving problems under pressure, especially on the dribble. With the style of play or the game model we want to implement, I think she’ll fit in very well.”

Defensive midfield is a glaring hole for the Current, but Andonovski hinted earlier in the week that he has multiple midfielders lined up to join the team. That left the right back position as one of KC’s primary areas of need.

The Current traded away Del Fava, a starter for the last two years, leaving only Hanna Glas on the roster at that spot. And she was injured all of last season.

Another player potentially in the mix at right-back is Mallory Weber, who missed the last two seasons with torn ACLs. She has appeared at multiple public functions of late, representing the team from the player side.

A pair of goalkeepers

With their remaining two picks, the Current selected Mackiewicz from Clemson at No. 32 overall and Hisey from the University of Arizona at No. 46.

“It’s always nice to have four goalkeepers and competition in that position,” Current general manager Camille Ashton said. “As we go into preseason, we’ll evaluate our ‘keepers and give them all the opportunity to showcase themselves.”

Mackiewicz was the ACC’s 2023 Goalkeeper of the Year after keeping 13 shutouts in 19 games and making 64 saves. For her collegiate career, she posted 23 shutouts and made 148 saves. Like Wheeler, she also spent time in the U.S. Youth National Team program.

Hisey made the All-Pac-12 third team in 2022. By the time she left Arizona, she held the program record for career saves, with 366, and games started, with 88. She was a five-year starter, posting 19 shutouts and finishing with a 1.39 goals-against average.

The Current’s roster still includes veteran goalkeeper AD Franch and last year’s first goalkeeper drafted, Jordan Silkowitz. Silkowitz is excelling on loan with Brisbane Roar in Australia and is expected back sometime this spring.

Cassie Miller, meanwhile, remains unsigned as a free agent. The selections of both Mackiewicz and Hisey all but signal an end to Miller’s time in Kansas City.

Now, about those surprises ...

The Utah Royals and Bay FC, this year’s two NWSL expansion clubs, held Friday night’s first and second overall picks, respectively.

Utah opened the draft by selecting North Carolina midfielder Ally Sentnor, and Bay FC followed by picking one of Sentnor’s UNC teammates, defender Savvy King, No. 2.

The real action preceded all of that. A flurry of moves before the start of the draft saw the Washington Spirit nab two of the top five picks.

The Spirit pulled off a pair of stunners in sending veteran defender Sam Staab to the Chicago Red Stars for the third overall pick and USWNT player Ashley Sanchez to the North Carolina Courage in exchange for the fifth overall pick.

That gave Washington four first-round selections, and they spent the first one on Croix Bethune at No. 3 overall.

Of local interest, two Sporting Blue Valley alumni were drafted on Friday night. Maycee Bell was selected with the 12th overall pick by NJ/NY Gotham, and Felicia Knox, of Shawnee, was taken 38th overall by Angel City FC.

Daniel Sperry covers soccer for The Star. He can be reached at sperry.danielkc@gmail.com.

This story was originally published January 12, 2024 at 9:44 PM.