In a stunning development, sources have confirmed to ESPN that United States women’s national team rising star Jaedyn Shaw is set to be traded from the San Diego Wave to the North Carolina Courage. The blockbuster trade will see the 20-year-old forward swap the sunny shores of California for the soccer hotbed of North Carolina in exchange for an undisclosed amount of allocation money.
The move comes as a surprise, given Shaw’s meteoric rise since joining the Wave in 2022. The Frisco, Texas native has notched an impressive 14 goals in 61 appearances across all competitions, helping lead San Diego to an NWSL Shield in 2023 and an NWSL Challenge Cup triumph in 2024. Her performances also earned her a spot in the NWSL Best XI in 2023.
A Blow for San Diego’s New Head Coach
For newly appointed San Diego head coach Jonas Eidevall, losing a talent like Shaw before even taking charge of his first match will come as a major disappointment. Sources indicate that the young forward had been seeking a trade for the past year, despite her on-field success with the Wave.
Eidevall’s Attacking Conundrum
Eidevall, who was only named San Diego’s new head coach earlier this week, now faces the daunting task of replacing one of the NWSL’s most exciting young attackers. With Shaw’s departure, the Wave will need to dip into the transfer market or promote from within to fill the void left by the USWNT forward.
A Statement of Intent from North Carolina
For the North Carolina Courage, securing the services of Shaw is a major coup. The 2022 U.S. Soccer Young Female Player of the Year will add dynamism and goals to a Courage attack that struggled at times in 2024, scoring just 34 goals in 26 matches.
Pairing Shaw with a returning Kerolin, the Brazilian attacker who missed much of last season through injury, should give North Carolina one of the most feared forward lines in the NWSL. The Courage will be hoping Shaw’s arrival, along with Kerolin’s comeback, can fire them back to the top of the table in 2025.
A Rising Star on the International Stage
Since making her USWNT debut in October 2023, Shaw has quickly become an integral part of the national team setup. The youngster has an impressive strike rate of eight goals in 21 appearances for the Stars and Stripes.
Shaw’s crowning moment in the red, white, and blue came at the 2024 Olympic Games, where she helped the USWNT secure the gold medal. With the 2025 World Cup on the horizon, Shaw will be hoping her move to North Carolina can cement her status as a regular starter under national team head coach Vlatko Andonovski.
The Final Verdict
While the full details of the trade are yet to be disclosed, there’s no denying this is a seismic move that could shake up the balance of power in the NWSL. San Diego’s loss is most certainly North Carolina’s gain, as the Courage look to re-establish themselves as the league’s preeminent force.
As for Shaw, the trade represents a new chapter in a career that promises so much. If she can continue her upward trajectory with the Courage, it may not be long before we’re talking about her as one of the greatest forwards in USWNT history.
