Jaedyn Shaw and Alyssa Thompson make NWSL history
By Abel Folgar
Tomorrow belongs to today’s youth and in the NWSL, 18-year-olds Jaedyn Shaw and Alyssa Thompson are staking their claim in the future of women’s soccer.
This past Saturday, Shaw and Thompson netted goals in their respective matchers – the second time they do so this season, standing as the only teenagers to do so in the league’s history.
For Shaw, this was her fourth goal in four home starts for the San Diego Wave FC, a record she now shares with Abby Wambach, and ties her with teammate Alex Morgan with three goals apiece for the season.
Thompson is now tied with Angel City FC teammate Katie Johnson with two goals each so far.
Other youths making waves over the weekend include 17-year-old Portland Thorns midfielder Olivia Moultrie with an assist in their 3–3 tie with Angel City; and a pair of 15-year-olds, Chloe Ricketts of the Washington Spirit and Melanie Barcenas also of the Wave, making their debuts.
At 15 years and 177 days old, Barcenas is the youngest active NWSL player in league history.
History was made in the @NWSL this weekend, as 15-year-old Melanie Barcenas became the youngest player to ever compete in the league.
— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) May 1, 2023
Keep going for it! https://t.co/F2o65Lf8f8
Banking on youth and more importantly – giving precious minutes on the pitch – is a great step in the right direction. Trust the kids, with the right guidance, they will surprise you.