Meet Alyssa Thompson, the 18-year-old American footballer who is already making waves in the world of women’s football in the US. As the youngest player to ever be drafted into the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), Thompson has already achieved significant milestones in her career, including securing CONCACAF gold with the US under-20’s and earning her first USWNT cap at just 17.
Thompson’s journey to the top of women’s football began at the age of 13 when she started playing with players four years her senior. She went on to play for Harvard-Westlake School, where she scored 48 goals in just 18 games during her teen years. At 17, she was one of only two female players in the MLS Next League for Total Futbol Academy’s under-19 team. In 2023, she was drafted by Angel City FC as the No.1 pick, making history as the first high schooler to be drafted in the league’s history, and also the first player of Peruvian and Filipino heritage.
Thompson’s skills as a winger have earned her praise from coaches and fans alike. Angel City coach Freya Coombe praised Thompson’s ability to combine with other players and develop her game. As the US Women’s National Team heads into a transitional period, Thompson’s potential has caught the attention of football fans and experts alike. She has already tasted victory on an international scale, winning gold in the 2022 CONCACAF Women’s U-20 Championships, where she scored three goals in five matches. Her debut with the USWNT senior squad quickly followed, making her the youngest player to do so since Sophia Smith in 2017.
With the FIFA Women’s World Cup rapidly approaching, many are wondering if Thompson will make the USWNT roster. Despite not making the training camps in January and February, Thompson remains determined to make the team. As a talented winger, she faces tough competition from other players, including Sophia Smith and Megan Rapinoe, who play in similar positions. However, Thompson remains focused on her goal, saying, “I’m going to do everything that I can to be able to make the roster and I’m just going to work hard towards that goal.”
Thompson’s rapid rise to the top suggests she has a promising career ahead of her. As the NWSL 2023 season begins, football fans can watch Thompson and her teammates on both Paramount+ and CBSSN, while international fans can catch all the action on the NWSL website. As Thompson continues to make her mark on the world of women’s football, all eyes will be on her as she seeks to make history at the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
