On her 19th birthday, Jaedyn Shaw received the best of presents.
The Frisco-born player was placed on the roster for the U.S. Women’s National Team that will face China on Dec. 5 at Toyota Stadium.
“It was cute they announced on my birthday,” Shaw said in a phone interview.
Shaw belongs to a new generation of players looking to return the USWNT to the top. The U.S. plays exhibitions against China on Saturday in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and Tuesday in Frisco.
The World Cup held over the summer in Australia and New Zealand was difficult for the U.S. women’s squad.
Their iconic players were in decline, and the team bowed out in the round of 16 after falling in a penalty shootout against Sweden.
Shaw knows this new crop of players is responsible for returning the USWNT to the glory of being considered the best in the world.
“It’s an incredible honor to be called up to the USWNT. I think it’s a super cool opportunity to be the next generation coming in,” Shaw said.
“I think it is a great responsibility, but very motivating because it’s an opportunity to leave the game better than we found it, and also a great opportunity to honor the players that paved the way for us.”
Shaw said her goal is to play in international tournaments with the USWNT, and the Paris Olympic Games in 2024 are on her mind.
Meanwhile, Shaw is focusing on what awaits her in Frisco.
“It will be extremely special to play in my home town. I’m super excited, I have a lot of family there,” said Shaw, who has already received many requests for tickets to the game.
“My mom is the youngest of 11 siblings, so we’re looking for as many tickets as possible,” Shaw said with a laugh.
At the youth level, Shaw played for FC Dallas and for Solar Soccer Club. In July 2022, she signed for the San Diego Wave of the National Women’s Soccer League.
“The social part of skipping college is probably one of the biggest sacrifices I had to make, but soccer is everything to me and is definitely worth it. Soccer is my life, so I have nothing to complain about,” Shaw said.
During the 2023 season, Shaw scored the most goals (six) by a teenager in NWSL history and helped the Wave win its first-ever NWSL Shield. Shaw played 23 games this season, 20 as a starter.
Shaw said her natural position on the field is a “10″ (offensive midfielder), but she has also played winger and many other variations on offense.
“As long as I’m on the field, I’m good,” said Shaw, who grew up admiring Brazilian players like Neymar and Marta.
“I love seeing players who make the game entertaining for me, players who make the game fun to watch.”
Playing in front of home crowds is a familiar thing for Shaw.
Her first goal with the USWNT came in the same stadium where she plays for the San Diego Wave in a 3-0 win over Colombia on Oct. 29. It was just her second appearance with the stars and stripes squad.
“It was really crazy, to be honest. I had a lot of adrenaline in that game. It was so cool having our fans there, and once I entered the field, I said: ‘Let’s go, I’m flying now.’”
New coach, new era
After failing in the last World Cup, U.S. Soccer took on the task of restructuring the USWNT, and the first big step was to hire Emma Hayes as its head coach.
“Emma is a great coach and outstanding leader,” said Matt Crocker, Technical Director of the United States Soccer Federation.
Hayes, 47, is the longtime head coach for Chelsea FC, one of Europe’s most successful women’s teams.
Hayes will finish the 2023-24 Women’s Super League season in England and then join the U.S. team two months prior to the start of the 2024 Olympics.
Interim head coach Twila Kilgore will continue in her role and then join Hayes’ staff full-time as an assistant coach.
“We are entering a new chapter in the USWNT as we focus on regrouping after a difficult World Cup,” Kilgore said.
Kilgore has named a 26-player training camp roster for the two December home-friendly matches against China that will close out the USA’s 2023 schedule.
“We are moving forward with a new generation of players,” Kilgore said.
Crocker said that with Hayes as the head coach, the USWNT will have an offensive, ball-possession style that excites fans.
“Emma has done a great job in her 12 years with Chelsea, in my opinion, Emma is the best coach in the world in women’s soccer,” Crocker said.
China is the second-most common opponent in USWNT history (after Canada) and the game at Frisco will mark the 60th meeting between the longtime foes.
While the USA and China used to meet quite often, sometimes multiple times a year, these will be the first matches between the countries since the summer of 2018.
Twitter: @abrahamrussek
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