FILE - NC Courage midfielder Jaedyn Shaw (19) in action during an NWSL soccer match between the NC Courage and Louisville Racing in Louisville, Ky., March 15, 2025. (AP Photo/AJ Mast, File)
FILE - NC Courage midfielder Jaedyn Shaw (19) in action during an NWSL soccer match between the NC Courage and Louisville Racing in Louisville, Ky., March 15, 2025. (AP Photo/AJ Mast, File)
HARRISON, N.J. (AP) 鈥 It鈥檚 been a whirlwind year for Gotham midfielder Jaedyn Shaw.
When she joined the club earlier this month, on the heels of her headline-making trade 鈥 Gotham acquired her from the North Carolina Courage for a in intraleague transfer funds 鈥 the team became her third in a long year that has sent her from coast to coast.
But when the 20-year-old took her new home pitch for the first time Friday night for Gotham’s 3-0 rout of the Portland Thorns, the New York City suburbs looked like the right landing spot as Shaw quickly became a crowd favorite at Sports Illustrated Stadium.
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鈥淭he coaching staff and all of my teammates have really helped me just feel comfortable here,鈥 Shaw said. 鈥淚t’s been a really seamless transition into the group.鈥
Her first appearance for Gotham came on Sept. 12, when she in a 2-0 victory over the San Diego Wave 鈥 the team she played for before being shipped to North Carolina.
On Friday night against Portland, Shaw assisted on Midge Purce’s goal.
鈥淲hen you bring in a player like that, you’re not only bringing in somebody with already so much experience 鈥 but at the same time, I think we’ve just scratched the surface of what she can do,鈥 Gotham midfielder Rose Lavelle said.
Shaw’s fans are hopeful the trade could trigger a comeback of sorts for the young player, who鈥檚 had her share of setbacks.
A recent omission from national team training and an Olympics-ending injury have dimmed some expectations surrounding her international contributions, and her time in North Carolina didn鈥檛 pan out how she might have hoped. In 19 games with the Courage, Shaw had three goals and one assist, and her minutes dwindled as the season wore on.
That was no cause for concern for Gotham coach Juan Carlos Amor贸s.
鈥淚f I asked how many games Esther Gonz谩lez played for her club before joining us, the answer would be zero,鈥 Amor贸s said, referencing his team’s league-topping scorer. 鈥淪he didn鈥檛 play at all, yet we believed she was a great player who could help us 鈥 and three years later, she鈥檚 one of the best in the league and in the world.鈥
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The trade from North Carolina dropped Shaw into the middle of a top playoff contender 鈥 in large part thanks to Gonzalez 鈥 meaning Shaw will be continuing her development on a big stage.
鈥淚鈥檓 grateful to be part of those headlines and records,鈥 Shaw said, 鈥渂ut ultimately, it comes down to what I can do on the field.鈥
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