National Women's Soccer League seeing youth movement as league now accepts players under 18 years old

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When Olivia Moultrie was just 13, her family moved from California to Oregon so she could train with the Portland Thorns.

The National Women's Soccer League had a rule at the time that all players had to be at least 18, so Moultrie could only practice with the team. On game days, she watched the Thorns from afar.

She wasn't happy with the situation and did something about it, successfully suing two years ago for the right to play and paving the way for a youth movement in the NWSL that will likely grow as talented players see a path toward a professional career that doesn't include playing in college.

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Alyssa Thompson #21 of Angel City FC controls the ball during the first half of a game against the Houston Dash at BMO Stadium on June 25, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.  (Katharine Lotze/Getty Images)

"When I was fighting for the ability to play, I was just thinking, 'This isn’t right. If you’re good enough, you’re old enough. Women should have the exact same opportunities as men should have,’" Moultrie said.

The league is now welcoming others who followed the 17-year-old's lead after adopting new rules for players under 18 to join the league last year.

Alyssa Thompson became the first high schooler to be drafted in the league this year when she was selected with the No. 1 overall pick by Angel City. She also played her way onto the U.S. squad headed to the Women's World Cup starting next month in Australia and New Zealand.

Thompson and Moultrie are among six teenagers in the league this season, and they're not the youngest. In March, the San Diego Wave signed 15-year-old