USWNT’s Jaedyn Shaw making an impact ahead of Paris Games

Oh, it’s happening. Not even six months since she first donned a U.S. women’s national soccer team jersey — and just in time for this summer’s Paris Olympics, where the Americans will seek to regain their stride after last year’s World Cup flop — Shaw is enjoying her breakout moment.

She has scored in each of her five starts — a program record — and posted more goals (seven) through 11 games than everyone in U.S. history except Christen Press (eight).

The timing is ideal. Alex Morgan is on the back side of a fabled career. Megan Rapinoe has retired. Rose Lavelle is prone to injury. Catarina Macario and Mallory Swanson are returning from long-term knee issues. Mia Fishel is recovering from ACL surgery, and Sophia Smith is rebounding from the World Cup sting.

“While the world is saying, ‘Yeah, she’s here, and she’s arrived’ — and I agree she’s doing a great job — be patient because there’s more, a lot more for her,” U.S. interim coach Twila Kilgore said Monday.

Things are happening fast for the 19-year-old Shaw. She debuted in October, scored in her second appearance days later against Colombia, won the Golden Ball as MVP of the Concacaf Gold Cup last month and posted the first U.S. goal in the 2-1 comeback victory over Japan in the SheBelieves Cup opener over the weekend.

Shaw’s next act will come Tuesday night against Canada in the tournament final in the Ohio capital.

“I feel like it’s not something that I probably would have guessed would have happened,” she said of her blazing introduction to the international game. “But I’m really happy that I’ve been able to contribute in this way and want to continue to do so.”

Shaw has been a professional for less than two years. Like an increasing number of prospects, she skipped college soccer. In her first 1½ seasons with the San Diego Wave of the National Women’s Soccer League, Shaw posted 10 goals in 36 appearances across all competitions.

With the Olympics on the horizon and the 2027 World Cup on the radar, Shaw and other newcomers, such as Korbin Albert and Jenna Nighswonger, have been afforded chances to make their mark before Chelsea FC’s Emma Hayes takes the coaching reins in June.

“It’s a cool opportunity being such a young player on this team,” Shaw said. “It’s very motivating. We’re just going to continue to do what we can to impact this team to get better for the future and the near future.”

The Frisco, Tex., native played for elite youth clubs and U.S. youth squads before deciding to pursue a pro career. In early 2022, she joined the Washington Spirit for preseason training camp, but because the NWSL did not have a clear mechanism for players under 18 to sign contracts, the Spirit could not acquire her.

“I just assumed I was going to be playing with them,” she said of the Spirit. The NWSL then ruled that summer that Shaw would be available to all teams through a discovery process. Atop the selection order, expansion San Diego claimed her.

Impactful play in the NWSL led to the national team call-up last fall.

“Finding your niche in this team and being able to score consistently is quite a feat, especially as you’re being integrated,” Kilgore said. “We’re seeing great things from her and we’re really pleased, but she’s still in the onboarding process.”

On Saturday, after the United States conceded a goal in the first 30 seconds, Coffey did the dirty work in the 21st minute in gaining possession. She looked up to see Shaw pointing down to where she wanted the ball about 22 yards from the target. Shaw took one touch before lashing a one-hop shot into the low left corner.

“She’s so much fun to play with; she’s not fun to play against,” said Coffey, who, with the Portland Thorns, typically is assigned to mark Shaw in NWSL matches.

Shaw and Coffey initiated the celebration before teammates arrived.

As Shaw has grown more comfortable with the team, her persona has begun to shine.

“Her personality is so funny,” 21-year-old winger Trinity Rodman said. “I began to get closer with her and it’s been great. She’s awesome.”

Coffey, 25, appreciates Shaw’s hunger.

“It’s easy for young players in that position to maybe think they’ve arrived and they’re all that,” Coffey said. “She could not be further from that. She always wants more and wants to learn more.”

Shaw is learning to play multiple positions for the national team — she is a forward and an attacking midfielder — and to contribute to the collective defense.

On Shaw’s goal against Japan, her defensive positioning placed her in exemplary location to “take a touch, a little wiggle and a shot,” Kilgore said.

Versatility and a well-rounded game will factor into the Olympic roster decisions because only 16 non-goalkeepers are permitted, four fewer than for the World Cup.

Shaw said the national team was always her dream, even before she began watching games regularly. The squad’s periodic visits to Toyota Stadium in her hometown fueled her fire.

“I knew I wanted to be here and I wanted to represent the U.S. at this level,” she said. “There were definitely moments seeing a couple of SheBelieves Cup games in Frisco growing up, so it’s just really cool to now, not only be on this team, but playing in this tournament.”

Note: Coffey (head) was cleared to play, but center back Naomi Girma is day-to-day with a thigh strain after leaving the match against Japan in the 18th minute, Kilgore said.