Three words: San Diego Wave's Lia Godfrey is NWSL's ‘most valuable rookie’

When the NWSL and the player’s association abolished the college draft in 2024 as a part of its new collective bargaining agreement, it inadvertently eliminated the early spotlight shone on top-tier prospects ahead of the season. By the time No. 1 picks like Crystal Dunn (2014), Rose Lavelle (2017), and Sophia Wilson (née Smith, in 2020) laced up their boots for their first professional matches, even those who hadn’t followed their collegiate careers knew to narrow their focus and set their expectations high.Advertisement