Welcome to the 2023 NWSL Draft! This year's class is set to go down as one of the most stacked in recent memory that includes teenage phenom Alyssa Thompson and Duke sophomore Michelle Cooper. There's a reason we've already seen a four-team trade that ended with Angel City moving up to land the top pick — and a very difficult choice.

To get you caught up for Thursday's 2023 NWSL draft, here's everything you need to know, including how to watch, draft format, player profiles and more.

How to watch the 2023 NWSL Draft

The NWSL Draft will take place live at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia on Thursday, Jan. 12. The draft will begin at 6 p.m. ET with coverage of the first hour aired live on CBS Sports Network.

You can also live stream NWSL Draft coverage using Paramount+ or with CBS Sports HQ.

What is the draft format, how many picks are made?

The NWSL Draft lasts for four rounds — 48 total picks. It is a linear draft, meaning the draft order stays the same each round. Of course, teams can trade their picks, as well. There were several picks traded within the first round, including the No. 1 overall pick, which currently belongs to Angel City FC.

NWSL can be drafted from a pool of eligible and registered players.

To be draft eligible, players must:

• Be at least 18 years old as of January 1, 2023

• Be a US citizen or legal resident OR be a foreign national enrolled at a university in the United States for the 2022-23 school year

• Have exhausted or renounced NCAA eligibility

• Not be under (or have previously signed) a contract to play soccer professionally

You can check out the list of players registered for the 2023 NWSL Draft here.

First-round draft order

1. Angel City FC (acquired from Gotham via trade)

2. NJ/NY Gotham FC (acquired from Orlando via trade)

3. Orlando Pride

4. Racing Louisville FC

5. Portland Thorns FC (acquired from Angel City via trade)

6. North Carolina Courage

7. Chicago Red Stars

8. Houston Dash

9. North Carolina Courage (acquired from San Diego Wave via trade)

10. Kansas City Current (acquired from Gotham FC via trade)

11. North Carolina Courage (acquired from Kansas City Current via trade)

12. Portland Thorns FC

Gaming Society has you covered on 2023 NWSL Draft prep

• The ultimate mock draft, from NWSL expert André Carlisle

• The generational choices Angel City has with the No. 1 pick

• The NWSL Draft's most ambitious goal-scorers

• 2 defenders at the top of scouts' boards

• 2 midfielders ready to make an immediate impact

• 2 can't-miss prospects on everyone's radar

• Opinion: Why changing the NWSL Draft could help players and the league

• Signing Debinha is Kansas City's attempt at world domination

Who are the best 2023 NWSL draft prospects?

• Alyssa Thompson might have the brightest future ahead

• Michelle Cooper may be the draft's most talented player

• Emily Madril and Reyna Reyes are the draft's best defenders

• Izzy D'Aquila and Messiah Bright are goal-scoring nightmares

• Sophie Jones is an elite midfielder