NWSL Draft 2019: Washington Spirit select Wake Forest midfielder Bayley Feist

The Washington Spirit traded up in the 2019 NWSL College Draft once again, sending the 31st overall pick in today’s draft and their natural 2020 2nd round pick to Portland Thorns FC to acquire the 17th overall pick, which they used to select Wake Forest’s Bayley Feist. Feist, an attacking midfielder, was named to the All-ACC 2nd team after this year’s collegiate season.

Despite playing in the midfield, Feist’s career has been more about scoring goals than setting them up. In 78 appearances with the Demon Deacons, she scored 22 goals and added 10 assists, and attempted 160 shots during her four years in Winston-Salem.

The move to trade up is an intriguing one, as the Spirit appeared to have addressed their possible shortage at attacking midfield during the World Cup by trading up to draft Jordan DiBiasi earlier today. However, Feist may project as more of a #8 and play a linking role in midfield. That’s another crowded position, however, and it remains to be seen how Washington’s roster will shake out.

The trade means that, as of now, the Spirit have finished up at today’s draft. However, given their heavy involvement in proceedings, trading back in can’t be ruled out.