Boardroom sits down with the USWNT selection to discuss her experience representing Team USA thus far, learning from Alex Morgan, working with Adidas, and more.
Jaedyn Shaw is heading to her first Olympics. The San Diego Wave FC star, who has been a force on the USWNT since making her senior debut in 2023, was selected to the illustrious 18-person squad by the federation’s new manager, Emma Hayes, on Wednesday.
The USWNT has normally experienced its fair share of gold medal success at the Summer Games (1996, 2004, 2008, 2012). But in the 2020 Tokyo Games, which were played a year later because of the pandemic, won bronze for the first time and picked up a silver medal in 2000.
With a squad full of fresh faces making their 2024 Paris Olympics debut, perhaps this new and improved roster could make history and win a record fifth gold for Team USA. Ahead of the roster announcement, Shaw spoke with Boardroom about her experience representing Team USA thus far, leaning on mentor and fellow Wave teammate Alex Morgan for advice, working with Adidas, and more.
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VINCIANE NGOMSI: Since the start of this NWSL season, there have been rumblings of you being this year’s MVP. How do you disconnect from that pressure and continue the season focusing on the task at hand, which is ultimately winning a championship?
JAEDYN SHAW: I’m really not putting any pressure on myself. I know I can put myself in a good position to be a contender for those awards if I just continue to do what I’m doing and create results for my club team. Obviously, accolades are amazing and I’m really grateful to have them, but it’s not just me. Those are also team efforts. And I think just continuing to build relationships on the field will continue in our development as a team.
VN: Speaking of relationships on the pitch, it’s been really fun watching you play alongside Alex Morgan. Has she given you any pertinent advice as you prepare for what could be a monumental summer?
JS: I think the biggest thing she’s told me is first and foremost, always enjoy the moment. Whether it’s a high or low, make sure that you take it all in because it’s not going to be there forever. It’s also just being on the field with her that helps me learn different placements, how to read and manipulate defenders, and other things you can’t learn from the sidelines. I feel like we communicate a lot on the field without having to say too much, so its really great we can play together on the club and country level.
VN: Outside of Alex, are there any other athletes current and retired that you really grew up admiring in your early playing days?
JS: I would say I really looked up to Tobin Heath. I think that she was so fun to watch and I hoped that I would get to play with her one day. But, she is an amazing human being and also an amazing player. Tobin was my top one, but I’d say I looked up to Carli Lloyd a lot, Alex, even current players like Rose Lavelle and Lindsay Horan. I’m really blessed to be able to play with them, too.
VN: So, how does the dynamic of playing with these veterans compare to that of someone like you, who is a rising star?
JS: Obviously, there’s a balance between learning as much as you can from the veterans and navigating all of the things that come with being a professional on the national team. For me, it’s also about acknowledging that you also have a voice. You’re good at the sport, you’re here for a reason, and you bring your own unique skills to the sport.
There’s also a balance between knowing you could also speak up instead of just sitting back and waiting for everybody else to take charge. And what you say can really motivate the team, especially in a game where we may not be playing well, but you can dig yourself out of those holes and continue the momentum.
VN: So when the wins don’t come as you expected, how do you all continue motivating each other to look past the minor setbacks and focus on the next task at hand?
JS: The biggest thing I’ve felt in multiple different environments is just energy and eye contact, I think those are the two biggest things that really help teams get out of holes or help teams stay at the top of their game. I get really engaged when I’m speaking to my teammates about what they’re seeing and asking things like, ‘Hey, what do you need from me?’ It’s about making sure you’re really in tune with the match, and if you’re trying to hold onto a lead, how do you change your approach? Once everybody’s on the same page, it’s honestly so fun to play.
VN: As an Adidas athlete, what’s the best part of working with the brand?
JS: Well, first and foremost, they take care of me. They’re not only very generous, but they make sure I have everything I need to play my best. Whether that’s cleats or clothes, they’re all really good people and truly listen to things that interest me and most importantly, take my feedback into consideration. I’m blessed to have Adidas as a partner.
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