On Saturday, 19-year-old Jaedyn Shaw became the first in the United States Women’s National Team (USWNT) to score in each of her first five starts. She was also the first to achieve the same in her first four starts. She now has seven goals in her first 11 internationals.
Donning “a Mal Pugh ponytail,” Shaw starred as the US beat Japan 2-1 in the SheBelieves Cup in Atlanta, taking her team to the final. The match was played in front of a record crowd of 50,644.
Shaw was the first to open her national team’s goal in the 36th minute, with an assist from Sam Coffey. She shot from the 18-yard box only to find the bottom right corner of the net.
US captain Lindsey Horan, who played alongside Shaw in midfield and sealed the game in the 77th minute with a penalty kick, told CNN that Shaw is a footballer.
“She has a physical presence, but she’s so smart on the ball and technical and savvy and creative.”
“I looked up to her. She’s an amazing player. I’m so happy that she’s back and I can play with her,” Shaw told reporters about Swanson.
Swanson wore the national jersey for the first time in nearly a year. She suffered a patellar tendon injury, keeping her away from last year’s Women’s World Cup.
Shaw and Swanson teamed up for the first time in a national team match. Shaw made her professional debut in July 2022, forgoing a scholarship from the University of North Carolina women’s soccer team to join the newly formed National Women’s Soccer League franchise, San Diego Wave FC. Since then, she has netted nine goals and provided three assists.
“I feel like the Wave has contributed so much to me being here and being able to play at this level and contribute to this team. So I credit a lot of my coaching staff, teammates, all to that,” Shaw added. “It’s a dream being here.”
In October 2023, Shaw received her inaugural call-up to the national team, marking her second appearance and first start with a goal in a 3-0 victory against Colombia. In December, she delighted her hometown fans in Frisco, Texas, by clinching a game-winning goal against China.
“I feel like none of my goals are just me. I feel like it’s always my teammates contributing and creating those opportunities,” Shaw said.
Her scoring streak continued in the United States’ gold medal run through the CONCACAF W Gold Cup, scoring four goals and earning tournament MVP.
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