RECAP: KC Current select eight players in 2023 NWSL Draft

It was a busy night for KC Current in the club's third NWSL Draft. The Current made one trade and eight picks on the night as one of the busiest NWSL clubs in action. Learn more about each of the selections below!

MICHELLE COOPER | FORWARD | ROUND 1, PICK 2

After making a trade to acquire the second overall selection in the 2023 NWSL Draft, the Kansas City Current selected forward Michelle Cooper out of Duke University. In exchange for the second pick, NJ/NY Gotham received forward Lynn Williams.

Cooper entered the 2023 draft following her sophomore season at Duke. In two seasons she scored 31 goals and 16 assists for the Blue Devils. Her trophy case includes awards for the 2021 ACC Freshman of the Year, 2021 All ACC First Team, 2022 ACC All-Tournament Team, 2022 All ACC First Team, 2022 ACC Offensive Player of the Year and the 2022 MAC Hermann Award Winner, given to the best collegiate soccer player in the country. 

A generational talent will get her start in Kansas City.

🔜 @michelle1cooper pic.twitter.com/kiLpcTrMTV

— KC Current (@thekccurrent) January 13, 2023

ALEXA SPAANSTRA | FORWARD/MIDFIELDER | ROUND 1, PICK 10

With their second first round pick, #10, KC Current selected forward/midfielder Alexa Spaanstra from the University of Virginia.  

Spaanstra, a fifth year senior for the Cavaliers, played 107 games and scored 37 goals in her collegiate career. A versatile attacker, she was named All-ACC Second Team twice and First Team once. She also earned recognition as part of the ACC Championships All-Tournament teams in 2019, 2020 and 2021. She has played for the U.S. Women’s National Team at the U-23 level.  

Welcome to the @thekccurrent ! Excited to play with you @alexaspaanstra 🔥 go hoos! https://t.co/NidfWTvBLr

— Morgan Brian Gautrat (@moeebrian) January 13, 2023

GABBY ROBINSON | MIDFIELDER/DEFENDER | ROUND 2, PICK 15

Robinson started all 78 games of her collegiate career. The 5’8” defender earned numerous Big XI Defender of the Week awards and was named Academic All-Big XI all four years of her career. She has also represented the U.S. Women’s National Team at the U-15 and U-17 levels. 

This 2022 @Big12Conference Champ is headed to Kansas City 🏆 @gabby8411 pic.twitter.com/6NeHmn6rzd

— KC Current (@thekccurrent) January 13, 2023

JORDAN SILKOWITZ | GOALKEEPER | ROUND 2, PICK 18

Silkowitz is the first player drafted into the NWSL out of Iowa State University. She started her career at Ohio State University where she posted a 1.32 Goals-Against-Average her freshman year. After transferring to Iowa State, the 6’0” goalkeeper started every match for the Cyclones. She was a four-time Big XI Goalkeeper of the Week, Academic All-Big XI First Team in 2022.

Wearing red and teal already 😍 @jordansilkowitz pic.twitter.com/tqDlIGjjEJ

— KC Current (@thekccurrent) January 13, 2023

MYKIAA MINNISS | DEFENDER | ROUND 3, PICK 35

Minniss started every game for the Cougars in her collegiate career. Her 92 career starts are a school record for field players. She earned All-Conference honors all four years as a center back for Washington State. In 2021 she led the school’s defense to 13 shutouts and a 0.62 goals-against-average.

 

 

 

 

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ELLA SHAMBURGER | DEFENDER | ROUND 4, PICK 38

Shamburger is the first four-time All-Region selection for Vanderbilt. She played and started in 97 matches for the Commodores in her career. A tough defender, she was also called on as one of the team’s primary penalty takers, scoring three of them in her senior season. 

Anchoring down in the Current ⚓️ @ellashamburger pic.twitter.com/CClXbjC2Ki

— KC Current (@thekccurrent) January 13, 2023

RYLAN CHILDERS | MIDFIELDER | ROUND 4, PICK 42

Childers grew up in the Current’s backyard of Grain Valley, Missouri. She started her career at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, scoring 21 goals in her first two seasons before transferring to the University of Kansas. She started all 52 games of her Jayhawks career, scoring 14 goals and 11 assists. 

Staying home ‼️

Congratulations @RylanChilders on being selected in the NWSL Draft to @thekccurrent! pic.twitter.com/4izkUO748Y

— Kansas Soccer (@KUWSoccer) January 13, 2023

ASHLEY ORKUS | GOALKEEPER | ROUND 4, PICK 48

Orkus closed out her collegiate career as the 2022 SEC Goalkeeper of the Year for the third straight season. She played 75 games for Ole Miss, recording 39 wins, 25 shut outs and a 1.13 goals against average.

Hey @thekccurrent fans... Y'all are getting a BEAST!@ashorkus24 | #HottyToddy | #TealRising pic.twitter.com/WoP7eAKV9H

— Ole Miss Soccer (@OleMissSoccer) January 13, 2023