Bradenton, Florida – The festive Christmas tunes echoing from IMG Academy’s speakers struggled to compete with the lively voices of college soccer players gathered on the lacrosse field Tuesday morning. Although these athletes had just met two nights prior, they quickly established a supportive camaraderie, cheering one another on during their demanding 10 a.m. practices, which drew attention from NWSL scouts and onlookers.
This marked the inaugural combine in NWSL history, aimed at addressing the development void left by the elimination of the college draft in August 2024 as part of a new player union agreement. The event, a first for major American sports leagues, invited forty-five players from various NCAA programs to demonstrate their skills for NWSL teams, with fifteen clubs sending scouts to assess prospects. The groundwork for this event was laid over a year earlier by Kara Thompson, a seasoned youth coach and scout who took on the role of director of player development soon after the college draft ended.
“We were adding players almost until just 48 hours before it started,” Thompson noted candidly.
The primary goal of the combine is straightforward: to create a professional pathway for eager candidates while enabling clubs to gather essential data before extending contracts. Beyond this, Thompson emphasizes additional aims, hoping the event fosters growth for both female athletes and coaches, playing a crucial role in the evolving landscape of women’s soccer.
“There’s a men’s World Cup in 2026 and a women’s World Cup in 2027,” she remarked. “With the Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028 and another Women’s World Cup in 2031, our efforts now will shape the future of the sport.”
Bridging the Developmental Gap
While the U.S. holds a prominent place in women’s soccer, many argue it has untapped potential in the global football arena. Recent statistics indicate that only 6% to 8% of American kids ages 6 to 17 engage in soccer, representing millions, yet identifying and developing talent across the vast nation remains challenging. Various youth programs exist, from the Elite Club National League to the Olympic Development Programme, along with numerous collegiate soccer teams. Thompson aimed for the combine to act as an intensive meeting point for diverse players and scouts, fostering professional aspirations.
“Scouting has been too narrow,” Thompson said. “Most scouts focus only on Division I schools. We need to explore beyond that, as there’s talent at mid-majors, junior colleges, and smaller schools. If we don’t develop local talent, we’ll continue bringing in international players instead.”
As high-profile collegiate prospects secured professional contracts without attending the combine, the event’s success was already evident midway through its three-day duration.
“I think it reflects Carla’s goal to ensure high-level athletes have a solid platform,” said Katie Ritchie, a former pro turned youth coach. “We thoroughly scouted across all divisions, not just focusing on elite players. It’s enlightening to see talent from less recognized programs shine here.”
There’s a prevailing sentiment in the U.S. that valuable resources are overlooked in the sport. Stakeholders universally acknowledge the need for solutions. Thompson and her team are aware that while the combine’s purpose is essential, there is significant urgency. The fifteen clubs present had opportunities to schedule interviews with the forty-five participants, with some likely landing professional contracts before the upcoming season.
“I’ve discovered players I hadn’t considered before that deserve attention,” Thompson said. “Now, it’s up to them to decide if they want to graduate early or finish their college careers.”
Value of Humility
The combine kicked off with high-performance drills, but the spotlight shone on the scrimmages, particularly the first one after lunch on Tuesday. Scouts’ best learning opportunities arose in game-like conditions, yet a challenge loomed as teammates were not well-acquainted with each other.
Just as in the early drills, the players’ excitement drowned out the background noise. Before the scrimmage commenced, they formed a circle to introduce themselves. The initial match scored by player enthusiasm was characterized by a flood of guidance; players navigated their newly formed teams, adjusting strategies and searching for the ball amidst the chaos. Eventually, they found their rhythm, but not before a key query echoed, “Who’s my left back?”
Adding to the lively confusion, the scrimmage served as an intense audition, with players switching positions at intervals. Coaches and scouts gained valuable insights in what felt less like a standard professional match.
“I encouraged several players, who initially felt uncertain, to embrace the game,” Thompson said. “We aimed to place them in their positions, but then encouraged flexibility. In a professional setting, you might start as a winger and end up as a full-back, so it’s vital to demonstrate adaptability and openness.”
Humility resonated throughout the combine, emphasized by guest speakers. Retired player and current NWSLPA Deputy Executive Director Tori Huster introduced the union, while current NWSL players Abby Smith and Messiah Bright hosted a Q&A session.
Attendees posed questions ranging from on-field strategies to managing personal finances, with no topic off-limits. Smith and Bright candidly shared insights about their professional journeys, including nuances from interacting with agents regarding contract negotiations. Participants took note of actionable advice, particularly regarding how to be supportive teammates as newcomers. Smith pointed to U.S. Women’s National Team midfielder Sam Coffey as an exemplary rookie, reminiscing on Coffey’s habit of carrying a notebook during her debut season with the Portland Thorns in 2022.
“Look where she is now,” Smith concluded.
Indicators of NWSL Evolution
The combine offered a crash course in professional soccer, particularly combined with a youth event held days prior for high school talents. The action-packed NWSL event at IMG Academy was intentionally structured, as the league seeks to bridge various gaps in recruiting players.
“Boys typically get into academies and structured programs much earlier than girls,” noted Sarah Gregorius, former New Zealand international and NWSL senior sporting director. “For example, players like Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden thrive in environments like Manchester City’s academy, developing not just their technical skills but also benefiting from nutritionists and performance analysts.” She emphasized that girls still lack such comprehensive access and that the NWSL’s initiative aims to better equip them to face their professional challenges.
The combine serves as part of the broader strategy to enhance the youth game, as league leaders consistently underscore the importance of a robust pipeline to sustain quality. This commitment includes bolstered support for the upcoming Division II league set to launch in 2027 and the establishment of comprehensive scouting departments by various clubs. For some, integrating youth and adult scouting was their initial priority.
“Through the Gotham lens, we’ve allocated resources to scouting,” said Gotham scout Richard Gandy. “We’re focusing on identifying college players ready to go pro and finding upcoming youth talents heading to college. Expanding our player knowledge is our main goal.”
Thompson aspired for the combine to also highlight the potential of emerging female coaches. Ritchie was joined by Gina Lewandowski and Sammy Jo Prudhomme, former NWSL players now coaching at youth levels. Building this pipeline is crucial, especially with the league expanding to sixteen teams but only four female head coaches, including 2025 Coach of the Year Bev Yanez.
“My priority was ensuring we had female staff involved,” Thompson said. “It was vital for us to showcase female coaches’ capabilities at high levels. Surprisingly, the list of qualified candidates was minimal. Thankfully, I knew many personally, so I reached out early to secure their participation, and they all recognized the importance of this initiative.”
Thompson’s opening remarks the night before the combine underscored the need for players to enjoy the experience. This sentiment resonated with others present.
“We’re still losing many players because it’s becoming less fun,” Thompson acknowledged. “There’s a rigid, win-focused mentality, and without enjoyment, they won’t stick with it. Regardless of their professional journeys, we want them to remain soccer fans and continue loving the game, so creating enjoyable environments is crucial for performance.”
Fan Take
This inaugural combine signifies a pivotal shift in how women’s soccer develops talent domestically, reflecting the NWSL’s commitment to nurturing the future of the sport. By creating opportunities for diverse players and coaches, the league not only aims to improve its own talent pool but also strengthens the foundation for women’s soccer as a whole, which is vital for the excitement and growth of the sport moving forward.
