BY SCOTT FRENCH, Senior Editor The WUSA Global Draft takes place on Monday in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The format: Four rounds, with the option of passing during the fourth round. The order: 1. Carolina; 2. Washington; 3. Boston; 4. San Diego; 5. Philadelphia; 6. New York; 7. Atlanta; 8. San Jose. Carolina owns San Diego’s third-round selection; San Diego has Carolina’s in the fourth round. If we were making the selections — and we’re certain coaches are glad we’re not — here’s who we’d take:
First round
1. Carolina — Danielle Slaton, D, Santa Clara: National team starter could be league’s top back within a season or two. 2. Washington — Abby Wambach, F, Florida: Only real striker available offers size, skill, potential, and fills Freedom’s greatest need. 3. Boston — Jena Kluegel, D-M, North Carolina: Breakers might prefer a central defender but can’t pass on national-teamer. 4. San Diego — Katie Barnes, F, West Virginia: Spirit needs a forward before they all disappear. 5. Philadelphia — Anna Kraus, D-M, Santa Clara: Speedy and versatile and too good to pass up here. 6. New York — Claire Scanlan, M, Memphis (W-2 League): Irishwoman, an assistant coach at Troy State, is rated the best DMF in the draft. 7. Atlanta — Danielle Borgman, D-F, North Carolina: Speedy outside back’s versatility too valuable to ignore. 8. San Jose — Lori Lindsey, M, Virginia: Sissi’s not getting younger; ACC MVP could play understudy.
Second round
9. Carolina — Casey Zimny, D-M, Connecticut: Can play inside or outside in the back or in midfield. Good distributor, too. 10. Washington — Meghan Anderson, M, Nebraska: Freedom add a hard-working, creative midfielder. 11. Boston — Bonnie Young, D, Penn State: Big central defender still around in Round 2? Breakers can dream. 12. San Diego — Monica Gonzalez, D-M, Notre Dame: Tall Mexican national-teamer adds depth to defense. 13. Philadelphia — Amy Sauer, D, Stanford: There are concerns about how she’ll cope physically, but Stanford’s leader is a steal at No. 13. 14. New York — Nicky Thrasher, F-M, Texas A&M: A gifted, heady, hard-working attacker who may fit nicely with Milbrett. 15. Atlanta — Keisha Bell, D, Florida: Latest word is her torn ACL will keep her out nearly all of the season, but the Beat have the goods to plan for the future. 16. San Jose — Mary-Frances Monroe, F, UCLA: She’s versatile, gifted and might be a first-five pick if not for her size (5-foot-1) and clubs’ more pressing defensive needs.
Third round
17. Carolina — Anne Remy, F, North Carolina: Her physical game worries some, but Fotopoulos and Prinz offer protection. 18. Washington — Stacey Tullock, M-D, Arizona State: Smart and versatile, can play where Freedom has want. 19. Boston — Bethany Bogart, D, UCLA: More defense for needy Breakers. 20. Carolina — Emily Oleksiuk, G, Penn State: Should challenge for the No. 1 job. 21. Philadelphia — Andi Sellers, M-F, Florida: Amazing she’s lasted this long. 22. New York — Brooke O’Hanley, D, Portland: Defensive depth still available late. 23. Atlanta — Breana Boling, M, UCLA: DMF lasts till now only because there’s question whether she wants to play in the WUSA. 24. San Jose — Emily Taggart, F, Wake Forest: ‘Rays can bolster attacking depth, and Ian Sawyers likes Bay Area-bred players.
Fourth round
25. San Diego — Stephanie Rigamat, F, UCLA: She’s a finisher with some international experience, but has limited skill. 26. Washington — Caroline Putz, M, Washington: Good attacking midfielder with resume a nice pickup here. 27. Boston — Alexa Borisjuk, F, Connecticut: A New Englander who can attack. 28. San Diego — Mia Sarkesian, M, Notre Dame: Midfield general can benefit from Foudy tutelage. 29. Philadelphia — Jaclyn Clark, D, Arizona (W-1 League): Former Arizona State standout worth a look at No. 29. 30. New York — Stacy Roeck, F-D, Wake Forest: Versatility could prove winning. 31. Atlanta — Annie Gage, D, Kentucky: Even Beat can’t have too much defensive depth. 32. San Jose — Katie Carson, G, Clemson: Backup to the national team’s No. 1?
