Jaedyn Shaw, the 19-year-old rising star of the United States Women’s National Team (USWNT), etched her name into the record books on Saturday by becoming the first player in team history to score a goal in each of her first five starts. Her remarkable achievement came as she netted the opening goal in the USWNT’s 2-1 victory over Japan in the SheBelieves Cup, propelling the Americans to Tuesday’s final.
Shaw’s goal, a stunning strike from outside the 18-yard box, came 21 minutes into the match, freezing Japan’s goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita. The goal showcased Shaw’s precision and confidence on the field, reinforcing her role as a key player in the USWNT’s attack. As the team’s No. 10, Shaw orchestrated plays and proved to be a constant threat to Japan’s defense throughout the match.
Not only did Shaw break new ground as the first USWNT player to score in her first five starts, but she also joined an elite group as only the 13th player in U.S. history to score in five consecutive games. Her achievement is even more remarkable given her age, making her the youngest to accomplish this feat. The energy and skill she brought to the game electrified the record-setting crowd of 50,644 fans at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
The large turnout for the SheBelieves Cup match set a record for a friendly match for the USWNT and marked the largest crowd for the team in any home match since the 1999 World Cup final. The atmosphere was electric, with fans rallying behind Shaw and the rest of the team, creating a memorable backdrop for the historic night. Shaw’s goal and the overall performance of the USWNT reflected the high level of anticipation and support surrounding the team’s future.
