Alyssa Thompson is going to a World Cup. Will it be the one that kicks off in just under 50 days? Only U.S. women’s national team head coach Vlatko Andonovski knows the answer to that question, but Thompson is certainly making a solid case for herself.
At only 18-years-old, Thompson was selected first overall by Angel City FC in the 2023 NWSL Draft. She became the youngest player ever drafted to the league and the first player drafted right out of high school. Thompson’s soccer story started way before draft day, though. At just 13, Thompson was playing with a semi-professional women’s team of college players. She eventually won the 2020-21 Gatorade California Girls Soccer Player of the Year after scoring 48 goals and adding 14 assists on her way to a regional high school title.
And before joining Angel City, Thompson most recently played for Total Futbol Academy of MLS Next, a boys’ team in Southern California.
Thompson has also amassed U.S. youth national team experience and she debuted for the senior national team in October, 2022 at a sold-out Wembley Stadium against the reigning European Champions England. She became the youngest player to debut for the U.S. since 2016, when Mallory Swanson (née Pugh) debuted at age 17. Thompson was immediately called back into the U.S. pool in the wake of Swanson’s knee injury earlier this year and it’s clear that she has a chance of making the final roster.
As if these accolades aren’t exciting enough, here are four additional reasons why you should be enthused about Thompson ahead of the United States’ World Cup roster drop.
