Who fills the Gemma Bonner-sized hole in Louisville?

Now that the 2023 NSWL draft is fast approaching, it's time to look at the biggest needs for this year's Louisville team. I think it will surprise nobody that follows this club that the holes are many, but the hole left by Gemma presents a unique challenge. Louisville's defense was pretty porous last year gving up an average of 1.6 goals/match. As the roster stands today, central defense is a major concern. While Bonner was not a top tier NWSL central defender, she was really solid and if the season started today, I would have to say that the option of Murray and a virtually untested Pikkujämsä doesn’t give me warm and fuzzies. Here are some options:

Emily Madril (<5% chance)

At some point in the season in 2022, the club had to feel good about the prospects of getting Emily Madril as Bonner's replacement. She was regularly practicing with Louisville's first team sqaud and looked impressive for the W League team. The rumor was that she wanted to sign for Louisville, but she ended up signing a league contract instead which allowed her to go out on loan until the 2023 draft. I subtlety hinted last year that I would rather the team finish lower in the table in order to help their chances as getting Madril. I will now state with perfect 20/20 hindsight that I wish the team would have taken draws in the last two matches to get the #2 draft pick. Don't get me wrong. I loved the team winning those last two matches, but all of the joy was taken away by the Yates report. As we ended up only being able to celebrate the KC victory for a few days, I would rather be looking at the number 2 pick vs. the 4th. It's probably moot anyway as no amount of losing was ever going to put 12th place in play as Gotham were an absolute disaster. I fully expect Madrid to go #1, in part because she lost all of her negotiating power by signing a league contract. Guaranteeing that a player will sign seems like a pretty big incentive to me.

Draft pick TBD (50/50)

Reyna Reyes is a possibility at 4. Here is the text from the linked article.

“Anchoring Alabama’s backline to 12 shutouts this year, MAC Hermann Trophy semifinalist and SEC Defender of the Year Reyes is coming off her best season with the Crimson Tide.

As Alabama notched a program-record 23 wins, Reyes scored a career-high eight goals, including Alabama’s game-winning goal against Duke in the quarterfinals of the women’s College Cup.”

Jordan Brewster from West Virginia and Tori Hansen seem like options too. None of them are a can't-miss like Girma or a probably-can't-miss like Madril. The NWSL requires elite talent or years of experience to effectively navigate it, so while this may be the most viable option, it's probably not optimal.

New Signing TBD (10-15% chance)

I (very deliberately) have little to no insight into the inner workings of Soccer Holdings, especially since the Yates report has been released, so I am likely to be wildly off base for all of this, but I especially have no insight into how the club identifies player and convinces them to come to Louisville. We as a public were told on several occasions that Jess McDonald wanted to be in Louisville. I have no reason to not believe that. However, I am unaware of any player that is too keen on coming to Louisville. They very well may exist, but if playing time and starting right away is a draw, I think the team could tempt another international player to come over and try their luck in America. Kaleigh Riehl would be at the top of my want list, but San Diego doesn't seem interested in seeing her go as she showed herself to be of great value last year. Some current NWSL player may be available through trade. I think another international is more likely.

Elli Pikkujämsä (30% chance)

Nothing against the young Finnish international, but very few European players are NWSL ready on day 1. Gemma wasn't, but she was close. Pikkujämsä isn't Bonner, so if this is the solution, expect severe growing pains. She may turn out to be great, but I wouldn't call her a sure thing.

Gemma's other duties

While there may have been 4 nominal captains on the team last season, Bonner was essentially Captain #1. She often drew the short straw to represent the team in post match media duties as well. My guess is that McDonald will pick up more of a leadership role during the matches, as she is definitely more vocal than Fox and Nadim will be missing the start of the season again. It is within the realm of real possibility, that the next captain isn't one of the 3 remaining captains. Again, based on nothing but pure speculation, I don't think any of the 3 remaining captains are in for the Louisville project for the long haul. Jess has to be reaching the back end of her career. Nadia has had her second knee surgery in a year and has never played 50 matches at a single club. Fox, while essentially unable to go anywhere via free agency for awhile, could play overseas or force a trade given her profile. Louisville could look to Howell, DeMelo, or Milliet to fill the leadership void left by Bonner.

The answer to the question proposed in the title of this piece is unfortunately “probably nobody, at least right away.”