With the first pick in the 2016 NWSL Draft...

College sports drafts are a uniquely American thing. While other nations largely have a more subdued signing ceremony, Americans go for the drama and the intrigue. This was certainly not absent from the 2016 NWSL draft in Baltimore on Friday.

The Baltimore ballroom was abuzz Friday morning. Big trades, league announcements, and live coverage dominated the room.

Gone was any concern of the league's sustainability. In its place, the excitement of increased revenues, big name signings, and an expansion team that has already sold roughly 3,000 season tickets. That news was a fantastic complement to the event, whose main attraction remains with the player selection.

There is a level of authenticity found with NWSL players that is absent from other college drafts. Sure, college athletes are excited after the announcement of their selection. But the NWSL players seemed different. They seemed noticeably moved.

Rutger's dynamic duo of Brianne Reed and Erika Skroski were bothoverwhelmed that, although separating, each player would be joining a world-class center back. (Reed will be teaming up with Becky Sauerbrunn in Kansas City, and Erika Skroski will be defending for Sky Blue alongside Christie Rampone.)

Christen Westphal spoke of her nervousness while addressing the room, her voice understandably shaking.

Raquel Rodriguez laughingly confessed that she has watched her World Cup goal on YouTube over...and over...and over again.

Sam Witteman remarked that she had no idea she was going to be drafted in the first round, while Lindsey Luke later spoke of defeatedly turning off the live stream after the 34th pick, certain that she would not be drafted. (Less than an hour later Luke learned that not only will she be joining the NWSL, but that she will be suiting up alongside the greatest goalkeeper in the women's game. Like, greatest ever.)

These dream stories are part of what make the NWSL great, despite the reality of its flaws.