November 27, 2023 • 19 mins
Aly Wagner and San Diego Wave midfielder/forward Jaedyn Shaw sit down to discuss her inclusion in NWSL's Best XI Presented by Mastercard for the 2023 season, her rapid ascent in the league, and her drive to improve.
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Speaker 1 (00:02):
Since making her debut with San Diego last season, Jaden
Shaw has quickly become one of the NWSL's most exciting
attacking players, and the eighteen year old star is only
beginning to rise. Her six goals this season, a few
of them even jaw dropping, are the most ever by
a teenager in league play. I sat down with a
(00:23):
twenty twenty three NWSL Best eleven presented by MasterCard on
a Rate to discuss her rapid rise in the league,
her unabashed confidence, and her drive to improve. Jaden First,
I gotta say congratulations on being named to the Best
Eleven for the twenty twenty three season in the NWSL,
presented by MasterCard.
Speaker 2 (00:43):
I mean, you're nineteen years old.
Speaker 1 (00:45):
Did you imagine getting this phone call in your second
season in the NWSL?
Speaker 3 (00:52):
Yeah, I mean it's unbelievable. I mean I haven't even
really thought about it much. I just been really focusing
on the season and when I'm in camp, focusing on camp.
Speaker 2 (01:04):
So yeah, I think it's.
Speaker 3 (01:06):
So so amazing and I'm super blessed to be on
the list.
Speaker 1 (01:11):
Well, what went well for you this season?
Speaker 3 (01:13):
Right?
Speaker 1 (01:13):
So you're you're coming in as a young player last
year limited minutes. But when you got your chance, you
were incredibly impactful. Same thing this season and even more so.
What do you think has been you know, part of
the success that you've had in the second year. There's
no sophomore slump in you. No.
Speaker 3 (01:34):
I think a lot of it is just building off
of the last match or last season. I feel like
I came in pretty hot and I wanted to make
sure that I kept that up. So I think just
doing what I could to fill that gap between you know,
doing it for the first three games and going silent
to like keeping it consistent or you know, just making
an impact consistently, whether it's goals, assists or it's you know,
(01:58):
just doing my part and my role in the field.
I think just really diving into that and whatever that
until it is just running with it.
Speaker 1 (02:07):
Well, you came in as a young player, what was
the natural confidence? Where does that come from? I mean
there's not a lot of players that get this opportunity.
They skip college first of all, which I want to
talk about, but you come in as a pro and
you look at ease in your first game, out score
a goal in your first game.
Speaker 3 (02:25):
Yeah, I mean I think a lot of it is
just like, you know, just my natural like confidence of
myself and like I don't want to say swag because
that's like really corny, but like slag, I guess on
the field, you know, just like knowing that I've prepared
for these moments, and like if I do the work
during the week in training, like I know that I'm
ready for those moments.
Speaker 2 (02:45):
So a lot of that just really transfers over.
Speaker 3 (02:48):
And like I was actually just talking to one of
the trainers here, I was like, I, if I have
not worked on something, I will not.
Speaker 2 (02:55):
Feel comfortable doing it on the field.
Speaker 3 (02:57):
So like I'm very much like processed been Like I love,
you know, putting in the work on during the week
and then you know, letting all of it show on
the weekend.
Speaker 1 (03:08):
That's incredibly mature. I don't think I'm there yet, and
I'm over forty. So a good job to your parents
because they're they're definitely raising a bright kid. Now, I
guess I would want to know when you decided to
skip college come into the NWSL. Obviously I've done a
lot of reading on it, but you know, was that
a difficult decision for you? And now obviously you're having
(03:31):
so much success have you ever looked back and thought
maybe I could have utilized one year in the collegiate game.
Speaker 3 (03:40):
I mean, I think for me, like I you know,
put a lot of my decision making in you know,
my faith and you know, basically living into the Lord
to guide me and my family has really driven that
into me.
Speaker 2 (03:55):
I think. Obviously it was a really really hard.
Speaker 3 (03:57):
Decision, and not because because I didn't think that I
was ready, just because like I had been committed to
the University of North Carolina for four years beforehand, so
I didn't want to be like disloyal or like anything
like that, like because I had never thought that I would,
you know, decommit or anything like that.
Speaker 2 (04:18):
And yeah, but once I like made my.
Speaker 3 (04:20):
Decision, I was like, this is full go, Like I'm
so for this and I'm so excited to just like
be able to play because it had been so long.
It was seven months of training in the environment but
not being able to step on the pitch. So that
was really hard, but like also so motivating for me,
Like I knew that when I did get that chance.
Speaker 2 (04:40):
Like it was going to be amazing.
Speaker 1 (04:42):
Anything surprising about being a.
Speaker 2 (04:44):
Pro surprising, not necessarily.
Speaker 3 (04:52):
I mean I feel like there were a lot of
learning curves and things that I definitely needed to work
on as soon as I like join the league, Like
things that I was prepared for, but I wasn't necessarily
like there yet, like physical output or whatever it is.
But that's something that I could just like work on.
It's not something that's like, oh my god, surprising, like
(05:16):
but yeah, I mean I feel like I've just had
a blast like playing in this league, and it's allowed
me a lot of opportunities that I wouldn't have had before.
Speaker 1 (05:25):
What outside of physical output was a bit of an
expected in this process for you that you now think
you can put a process in place and deal with.
Speaker 3 (05:35):
I mean, I think obviously tactically I needed to learn
a lot of things because coming from you know, youth
club level, like you're not necessarily learning what are the
roles and responsibilities of a.
Speaker 2 (05:46):
Tent, what are the roles and responsibilities as a nine.
Speaker 3 (05:49):
So those things I really had to pick up on
quick to be able to be on the field for
long periods of time or at all. So yeah, I
mean I really fake my coaching staff for really driving
that into me, and also like just being like just
knowing that I'm still developing and I'm I haven't really
(06:10):
gotten that yet. So but also I feel like I'm
a quick learner, so it showed up pretty quickly on
the field.
Speaker 1 (06:18):
But yeah, is there conversations about being patient because you
see it on the men's side when you're bringing a
player along and you think there's a really high ceiling
for that player. Has Casey Stony you know, communicated that
she wants to be careful in your progression. I have
the national team communicated that or is it just something
(06:39):
that is unspoken.
Speaker 3 (06:41):
No, it's definitely been voice to me from Casey and
also the national team. Twilight was very much like I
want this to be like experience thing. I want you
to like really really enjoy your first couple of camps
before it's actually like really game time and like you
have to really you know, live up to whatever or
(07:04):
like you know, really you know, meet the high standards
and all that kind of stuff.
Speaker 2 (07:08):
She just really wanted me to ease into it.
Speaker 3 (07:10):
And you know, enjoy the environment, learn as much as
I can, and just you know, enjoy those first couple
of camps. And also a case as well, like she
doesn't really put any pressure on me.
Speaker 2 (07:23):
At all.
Speaker 3 (07:24):
A lot of it is just freedom to you know,
move around the field or like ask questions or you know,
whatever it is, whether it's in game or in training,
like I have, Like she makes it known that we
all have a voice, and I feel like I do
have a voice and I can ask questions I could,
you know, challenge or or whatever the case is. And
(07:44):
I feel like it's really helped me grow, especially this
season because.
Speaker 2 (07:49):
My life has been on fast track for a long time.
I feel like it is.
Speaker 3 (07:53):
In a way, but to me it feels a little
bit slower as far as like process goes. And then
also case is that I can be like result driven
and she's really trying to like not take it out
of me, but make it a little down.
Speaker 1 (08:08):
Result driven meanings starting production and goals assists correct. Yeah, yeah, okay.
So then you've been playing in different roles for San
Diego Wave. I've read that number ten is your favorite position,
by the way, mine as well. So high five virtual
high five on that. You know, what what is it
about that role that you love and gravitate towards.
Speaker 3 (08:32):
I think just being central, being able to get involved
in all of the play, whether it's left or right side.
I like being able to drift in different spaces, like
really like kind of play with the opponent, see like
what they you know where they're gonna go. Like if
you pull to the back shoulder, are they going to
stay with you or are they going to slide across and
(08:53):
let you stay over there? Just like things like that,
Just like playing with the with them a little bit.
I think just being central, being able to like when
I receive the ball in the pocket, just being able
to look up and have right center left instead of
like getting the ball maybe in a wide channel and
you have to kind of go down the line or
(09:14):
like whatever the case is. I just feel very much
like I have a lot of freedom in the middle.
And yeah, I mean I've played the position practically my
whole life.
Speaker 2 (09:26):
And yeah, I mean definitely my favorite one. You like options, Yeah, yeah's.
Speaker 3 (09:33):
Control like to the goal, like you go right or
left because I feel like I can hit a banger
with either. So so then are you are?
Speaker 1 (09:40):
Are you someone who loves scoring goals? Are you someone
who loves assisting? And don't say both?
Speaker 3 (09:46):
Oh, obviously goals like not come first, but like everybody
loves goals, Like I love to score, you know, but assists,
you know, make me feel good inside too.
Speaker 1 (10:01):
I think we just learned a lot Aboutue in that
one statement, Jayden. There's so much joy in that. Okay,
let's talk about the team, because incredible season for the
Wave Right second year expansion team. You guys were battling
for the shield last season. This season you get it done.
What was the biggest difference do you think in accomplishing
(10:23):
that feat?
Speaker 3 (10:28):
Honestly, I feel like we have so much belief in
each other on this team. Like it's honestly like undescribed,
Like you can't really describe it. Like it's just like
everybody like trusting everybody to get their job done. Like
everybody knows like what my strengths are and they know
that like when I get the ball, like you know,
(10:48):
make that run or like whatever it is. And I
feel like we've grown so much this season and we've
just like really like just is always like another level
with this team. And there's so much depth on this team,
and I feel like it really pushes us in training,
like knowing that your spot could be taking taken whatever
you know, day, whatever weekend it is, and that just
(11:12):
really drives us to be better, and I feel like
that's really pushed us to go over the finish line
and and.
Speaker 2 (11:19):
Really and get that shield for the city.
Speaker 3 (11:21):
And I also think we take a lot of pride
in representing San Diego and really wanting to go out
and perform for the fans because they show up for
us every weekend. So I think, like we actually talked
about in a meeting today, I feel like it's also
it's just so much pride like in the city and
our families and each other in this team, Like it
(11:43):
just means so much to us to you know, raise
the trophies.
Speaker 1 (11:47):
So what has it been like in the lead up
to playoffs? Different energy, same energy?
Speaker 2 (11:55):
No, I think it's the same.
Speaker 3 (11:56):
Like obviously it's a really really important game, but I
feel like it's it's another game. We've played Rain like
six times, like and we know that we haven't won
against them before, but we are like so pumped to
get out there and like just show up and show out.
Speaker 2 (12:15):
Like I feel like vibes are all good.
Speaker 3 (12:17):
And we're it's obviously intent in training and we're you know,
working on the game plan, but yeah.
Speaker 2 (12:24):
We're just so excited to get out there.
Speaker 1 (12:26):
Have you had someone plan to take you under their
wing in this process at the Wave in particular, so.
Speaker 3 (12:35):
Just it was over there, like, yeah, I mean, I
feel like a lot of a lot of the experienced
players have really like taken me under their wing kind of,
but I wouldn't say like necessarily just me. I feel
like a lot of it is just you know, putting
(12:57):
their experience on me, like telling them telling me like, oh,
take it in, like enjoy the moment, like you know
how to play, and like that's why you're here, and
you know, just go out and have fun. Like even
ow like before the national team game, she she comes
over and she gives me a little pep talk and
then you know, I go out there and I try
to do as well as I can.
Speaker 2 (13:19):
But yeah, I.
Speaker 3 (13:19):
Feel like, you know, Caitlin calls me, she called me
baby j because I guess I'm a child. But but yeah, no,
like I have so much respect for everyone on this team,
and I feel like they've helped me grow so much
in this in this league and as an individual, as
a person, as a player. I mean, I have so
(13:41):
much respect and I'm so grateful for all of them.
Speaker 1 (13:45):
Well, it's not about the national team really, briefly. I mean,
you grew up playing alongside Olivia Moultrie. Alysa Thompson is
explain or describe that relationship. Is it a healthy rivalry
or is there a bond between you guys says, Look,
we're gonna be that next generation that you know puts
Yosum's national team back in in a dominant form.
Speaker 2 (14:07):
I think, honestly, it's a little bit of both. Like
I feel like we're all very.
Speaker 3 (14:11):
Competitive girls and and or you know, we obviously want
to be at the highest level. We want to be,
you know, starting on the team, playing whatever, and I
feel like that's you know, I feel like it's healthy competition.
But like obviously we're really happy for each other and
we want to be that next generation and you know
(14:33):
where whether that's us playing together when being on the bench,
win on the on the field. I mean, I feel
like we're all just like so grateful to be there
and be there together. I mean, like Tracy was literally
crying on the side. She was like so happy for
us because she like coached all three of us in
the U twenties World Cups.
Speaker 2 (14:52):
So it was like amazing, like full circle moment.
Speaker 1 (14:56):
Yeah, I can only imagine, because this is just the
beginning for you, no doubt, as as weird the fortunate
ones they get to look on and watch your career.
I think one of the most important questions is how
are you keeping yourself balanced? Because you said it earlier,
you know you've been on a fast track, even though
you slow down and really pay attention to the process.
(15:16):
How are you keeping yourself grounded and balanced through this? Really?
You know, I would say massive ascension over a short
period of time.
Speaker 2 (15:26):
I mean I feel like a lot of it is
with my family.
Speaker 3 (15:29):
Like I mean, I go home and I'm back being
a kid again, you know, the same roof as my
parents and my little brother. So I think being with
them just kind of brings it down a notch. And
staying off the media as much as I can, because obviously,
when I did join the league, it was like very
much in the media, and I would say that I
(15:50):
struggled with that a little bit, just like living up
to it. But I feel like now I've like being
around players that have been in the media a lot,
like how they you know, handle that has really grown
me as a person and help me perform better. And
then also I mean, yeah, just like my mom. She
keeps me very humble.
Speaker 1 (16:12):
That's a good MoMA.
Speaker 3 (16:13):
Just she watches my games like four times. It's crazy.
Speaker 1 (16:19):
That's love. So, Jaden, what would be your priceless moment
from the twenty twenty three season.
Speaker 2 (16:27):
My priceless moment would be this shield winning.
Speaker 3 (16:32):
Honestly, we didn't know the score of the other game
when we were playing, so it was just like take
care of business on our side, and and you know,
fingers crossed.
Speaker 2 (16:44):
LA gets it done.
Speaker 3 (16:46):
And yeah, when I came off, I was like sitting
next to Taylor and she goes, guess what the score
is for the other two for the other game, And
I was like what and she was like it's like
four zero.
Speaker 2 (16:59):
La was like, oh my god.
Speaker 3 (17:01):
So like by the time, I was like ready to
run on the field already. But yeah, so then then
the game ended and then we all just like took
off onto the field and we're so happy, like I mean,
like being able to have this sign and like standing
behind it. It was like literally like my first like
(17:22):
trophy or like first win like with this team, and
as a pro, like that's amazing, like felt so good.
I was like smiling from ear to ear.
Speaker 2 (17:33):
It was crazy.
Speaker 1 (17:34):
My cheeks were hurting, and go figure your rivals up
in LA are the ones that gifted to you. Yeah,
it's bittersweet for LA.
Speaker 2 (17:41):
I bet it was. I mean, I have a friend
on LA and I was like, thanks, thanks for helping
us out, like that was great.
Speaker 1 (17:51):
He's probably making you take her to dinner, right. You
know what has been the biggest challenge for you in
this transition going from from youth soccer basically to professional football.
Speaker 3 (18:07):
I think, like, as most of my coaches know, I'm
very hard on myself and that can be good sometimes
and it can be bad sometimes. And like I said earlier,
when I came into the league, there was a lot
of media behind it, and I think I struggled with
living up to it consistently for a while because I
personally put pressure on myself to do it and I
(18:29):
didn't want to, you know, join the league on such
a high and then you know, just die off. So
I think I struggled with that a little bit when
I first joined. But I think, you know, just not
lowering my expectations, but not being so mean to myself.
If I have like a average or below average game,
if I don't score two goals and it's like end
(18:51):
of the world, you know, But yeah, I think that
was my main struggle really coming in to this proenvironment.
Speaker 1 (18:59):
Well, you are incredibly mature, Jaden, and listening to you
communicate everything that you've already gone through is very impressive.
So congratulations again on an incredible achievement, an incredible season,
and I think we're all excited to see what comes
next for you.
Speaker 2 (19:15):
So good luck, thank you,
Since making her debut with San Diego last season, Jaden
Shaw has quickly become one of the NWSL's most exciting
attacking players, and the eighteen year old star is only
beginning to rise. Her six goals this season, a few
of them even jaw dropping, are the most ever by
a teenager in league play. I sat down with a
(00:23):
twenty twenty three NWSL Best eleven presented by MasterCard on
a Rate to discuss her rapid rise in the league,
her unabashed confidence, and her drive to improve. Jaden First,
I gotta say congratulations on being named to the Best
Eleven for the twenty twenty three season in the NWSL,
presented by MasterCard.
Speaker 2 (00:43):
I mean, you're nineteen years old.
Speaker 1 (00:45):
Did you imagine getting this phone call in your second
season in the NWSL?
Speaker 3 (00:52):
Yeah, I mean it's unbelievable. I mean I haven't even
really thought about it much. I just been really focusing
on the season and when I'm in camp, focusing on camp.
Speaker 2 (01:04):
So yeah, I think it's.
Speaker 3 (01:06):
So so amazing and I'm super blessed to be on
the list.
Speaker 1 (01:11):
Well, what went well for you this season?
Speaker 3 (01:13):
Right?
Speaker 1 (01:13):
So you're you're coming in as a young player last
year limited minutes. But when you got your chance, you
were incredibly impactful. Same thing this season and even more so.
What do you think has been you know, part of
the success that you've had in the second year. There's
no sophomore slump in you. No.
Speaker 3 (01:34):
I think a lot of it is just building off
of the last match or last season. I feel like
I came in pretty hot and I wanted to make
sure that I kept that up. So I think just
doing what I could to fill that gap between you know,
doing it for the first three games and going silent
to like keeping it consistent or you know, just making
an impact consistently, whether it's goals, assists or it's you know,
(01:58):
just doing my part and my role in the field.
I think just really diving into that and whatever that
until it is just running with it.
Speaker 1 (02:07):
Well, you came in as a young player, what was
the natural confidence? Where does that come from? I mean
there's not a lot of players that get this opportunity.
They skip college first of all, which I want to
talk about, but you come in as a pro and
you look at ease in your first game, out score
a goal in your first game.
Speaker 3 (02:25):
Yeah, I mean I think a lot of it is
just like, you know, just my natural like confidence of
myself and like I don't want to say swag because
that's like really corny, but like slag, I guess on
the field, you know, just like knowing that I've prepared
for these moments, and like if I do the work
during the week in training, like I know that I'm
ready for those moments.
Speaker 2 (02:45):
So a lot of that just really transfers over.
Speaker 3 (02:48):
And like I was actually just talking to one of
the trainers here, I was like, I, if I have
not worked on something, I will not.
Speaker 2 (02:55):
Feel comfortable doing it on the field.
Speaker 3 (02:57):
So like I'm very much like processed been Like I love,
you know, putting in the work on during the week
and then you know, letting all of it show on
the weekend.
Speaker 1 (03:08):
That's incredibly mature. I don't think I'm there yet, and
I'm over forty. So a good job to your parents
because they're they're definitely raising a bright kid. Now, I
guess I would want to know when you decided to
skip college come into the NWSL. Obviously I've done a
lot of reading on it, but you know, was that
a difficult decision for you? And now obviously you're having
(03:31):
so much success have you ever looked back and thought
maybe I could have utilized one year in the collegiate game.
Speaker 3 (03:40):
I mean, I think for me, like I you know,
put a lot of my decision making in you know,
my faith and you know, basically living into the Lord
to guide me and my family has really driven that
into me.
Speaker 2 (03:55):
I think. Obviously it was a really really hard.
Speaker 3 (03:57):
Decision, and not because because I didn't think that I
was ready, just because like I had been committed to
the University of North Carolina for four years beforehand, so
I didn't want to be like disloyal or like anything
like that, like because I had never thought that I would,
you know, decommit or anything like that.
Speaker 2 (04:18):
And yeah, but once I like made my.
Speaker 3 (04:20):
Decision, I was like, this is full go, Like I'm
so for this and I'm so excited to just like
be able to play because it had been so long.
It was seven months of training in the environment but
not being able to step on the pitch. So that
was really hard, but like also so motivating for me,
Like I knew that when I did get that chance.
Speaker 2 (04:40):
Like it was going to be amazing.
Speaker 1 (04:42):
Anything surprising about being a.
Speaker 2 (04:44):
Pro surprising, not necessarily.
Speaker 3 (04:52):
I mean I feel like there were a lot of
learning curves and things that I definitely needed to work
on as soon as I like join the league, Like
things that I was prepared for, but I wasn't necessarily
like there yet, like physical output or whatever it is.
But that's something that I could just like work on.
It's not something that's like, oh my god, surprising, like
(05:16):
but yeah, I mean I feel like I've just had
a blast like playing in this league, and it's allowed
me a lot of opportunities that I wouldn't have had before.
Speaker 1 (05:25):
What outside of physical output was a bit of an
expected in this process for you that you now think
you can put a process in place and deal with.
Speaker 3 (05:35):
I mean, I think obviously tactically I needed to learn
a lot of things because coming from you know, youth
club level, like you're not necessarily learning what are the
roles and responsibilities of a.
Speaker 2 (05:46):
Tent, what are the roles and responsibilities as a nine.
Speaker 3 (05:49):
So those things I really had to pick up on
quick to be able to be on the field for
long periods of time or at all. So yeah, I
mean I really fake my coaching staff for really driving
that into me, and also like just being like just
knowing that I'm still developing and I'm I haven't really
(06:10):
gotten that yet. So but also I feel like I'm
a quick learner, so it showed up pretty quickly on
the field.
Speaker 1 (06:18):
But yeah, is there conversations about being patient because you
see it on the men's side when you're bringing a
player along and you think there's a really high ceiling
for that player. Has Casey Stony you know, communicated that
she wants to be careful in your progression. I have
the national team communicated that or is it just something
(06:39):
that is unspoken.
Speaker 3 (06:41):
No, it's definitely been voice to me from Casey and
also the national team. Twilight was very much like I
want this to be like experience thing. I want you
to like really really enjoy your first couple of camps
before it's actually like really game time and like you
have to really you know, live up to whatever or
(07:04):
like you know, really you know, meet the high standards
and all that kind of stuff.
Speaker 2 (07:08):
She just really wanted me to ease into it.
Speaker 3 (07:10):
And you know, enjoy the environment, learn as much as
I can, and just you know, enjoy those first couple
of camps. And also a case as well, like she
doesn't really put any pressure on me.
Speaker 2 (07:23):
At all.
Speaker 3 (07:24):
A lot of it is just freedom to you know,
move around the field or like ask questions or you know,
whatever it is, whether it's in game or in training,
like I have, Like she makes it known that we
all have a voice, and I feel like I do
have a voice and I can ask questions I could,
you know, challenge or or whatever the case is. And
(07:44):
I feel like it's really helped me grow, especially this
season because.
Speaker 2 (07:49):
My life has been on fast track for a long time.
I feel like it is.
Speaker 3 (07:53):
In a way, but to me it feels a little
bit slower as far as like process goes. And then
also case is that I can be like result driven
and she's really trying to like not take it out
of me, but make it a little down.
Speaker 1 (08:08):
Result driven meanings starting production and goals assists correct. Yeah, yeah, okay.
So then you've been playing in different roles for San
Diego Wave. I've read that number ten is your favorite position,
by the way, mine as well. So high five virtual
high five on that. You know, what what is it
about that role that you love and gravitate towards.
Speaker 3 (08:32):
I think just being central, being able to get involved
in all of the play, whether it's left or right side.
I like being able to drift in different spaces, like
really like kind of play with the opponent, see like
what they you know where they're gonna go. Like if
you pull to the back shoulder, are they going to
stay with you or are they going to slide across and
(08:53):
let you stay over there? Just like things like that,
Just like playing with the with them a little bit.
I think just being central, being able to like when
I receive the ball in the pocket, just being able
to look up and have right center left instead of
like getting the ball maybe in a wide channel and
you have to kind of go down the line or
(09:14):
like whatever the case is. I just feel very much
like I have a lot of freedom in the middle.
And yeah, I mean I've played the position practically my
whole life.
Speaker 2 (09:26):
And yeah, I mean definitely my favorite one. You like options, Yeah, yeah's.
Speaker 3 (09:33):
Control like to the goal, like you go right or
left because I feel like I can hit a banger
with either. So so then are you are?
Speaker 1 (09:40):
Are you someone who loves scoring goals? Are you someone
who loves assisting? And don't say both?
Speaker 3 (09:46):
Oh, obviously goals like not come first, but like everybody
loves goals, Like I love to score, you know, but assists,
you know, make me feel good inside too.
Speaker 1 (10:01):
I think we just learned a lot Aboutue in that
one statement, Jayden. There's so much joy in that. Okay,
let's talk about the team, because incredible season for the
Wave Right second year expansion team. You guys were battling
for the shield last season. This season you get it done.
What was the biggest difference do you think in accomplishing
(10:23):
that feat?
Speaker 3 (10:28):
Honestly, I feel like we have so much belief in
each other on this team. Like it's honestly like undescribed,
Like you can't really describe it. Like it's just like
everybody like trusting everybody to get their job done. Like
everybody knows like what my strengths are and they know
that like when I get the ball, like you know,
(10:48):
make that run or like whatever it is. And I
feel like we've grown so much this season and we've
just like really like just is always like another level
with this team. And there's so much depth on this team,
and I feel like it really pushes us in training,
like knowing that your spot could be taking taken whatever
you know, day, whatever weekend it is, and that just
(11:12):
really drives us to be better, and I feel like
that's really pushed us to go over the finish line
and and.
Speaker 2 (11:19):
Really and get that shield for the city.
Speaker 3 (11:21):
And I also think we take a lot of pride
in representing San Diego and really wanting to go out
and perform for the fans because they show up for
us every weekend. So I think, like we actually talked
about in a meeting today, I feel like it's also
it's just so much pride like in the city and
our families and each other in this team, Like it
(11:43):
just means so much to us to you know, raise
the trophies.
Speaker 1 (11:47):
So what has it been like in the lead up
to playoffs? Different energy, same energy?
Speaker 2 (11:55):
No, I think it's the same.
Speaker 3 (11:56):
Like obviously it's a really really important game, but I
feel like it's it's another game. We've played Rain like
six times, like and we know that we haven't won
against them before, but we are like so pumped to
get out there and like just show up and show out.
Speaker 2 (12:15):
Like I feel like vibes are all good.
Speaker 3 (12:17):
And we're it's obviously intent in training and we're you know,
working on the game plan, but yeah.
Speaker 2 (12:24):
We're just so excited to get out there.
Speaker 1 (12:26):
Have you had someone plan to take you under their
wing in this process at the Wave in particular, so.
Speaker 3 (12:35):
Just it was over there, like, yeah, I mean, I
feel like a lot of a lot of the experienced
players have really like taken me under their wing kind of,
but I wouldn't say like necessarily just me. I feel
like a lot of it is just you know, putting
(12:57):
their experience on me, like telling them telling me like, oh,
take it in, like enjoy the moment, like you know
how to play, and like that's why you're here, and
you know, just go out and have fun. Like even
ow like before the national team game, she she comes
over and she gives me a little pep talk and
then you know, I go out there and I try
to do as well as I can.
Speaker 2 (13:19):
But yeah, I.
Speaker 3 (13:19):
Feel like, you know, Caitlin calls me, she called me
baby j because I guess I'm a child. But but yeah, no,
like I have so much respect for everyone on this team,
and I feel like they've helped me grow so much
in this in this league and as an individual, as
a person, as a player. I mean, I have so
(13:41):
much respect and I'm so grateful for all of them.
Speaker 1 (13:45):
Well, it's not about the national team really, briefly. I mean,
you grew up playing alongside Olivia Moultrie. Alysa Thompson is
explain or describe that relationship. Is it a healthy rivalry
or is there a bond between you guys says, Look,
we're gonna be that next generation that you know puts
Yosum's national team back in in a dominant form.
Speaker 2 (14:07):
I think, honestly, it's a little bit of both. Like
I feel like we're all very.
Speaker 3 (14:11):
Competitive girls and and or you know, we obviously want
to be at the highest level. We want to be,
you know, starting on the team, playing whatever, and I
feel like that's you know, I feel like it's healthy competition.
But like obviously we're really happy for each other and
we want to be that next generation and you know
(14:33):
where whether that's us playing together when being on the bench,
win on the on the field. I mean, I feel
like we're all just like so grateful to be there
and be there together. I mean, like Tracy was literally
crying on the side. She was like so happy for
us because she like coached all three of us in
the U twenties World Cups.
Speaker 2 (14:52):
So it was like amazing, like full circle moment.
Speaker 1 (14:56):
Yeah, I can only imagine, because this is just the
beginning for you, no doubt, as as weird the fortunate
ones they get to look on and watch your career.
I think one of the most important questions is how
are you keeping yourself balanced? Because you said it earlier,
you know you've been on a fast track, even though
you slow down and really pay attention to the process.
(15:16):
How are you keeping yourself grounded and balanced through this? Really?
You know, I would say massive ascension over a short
period of time.
Speaker 2 (15:26):
I mean I feel like a lot of it is
with my family.
Speaker 3 (15:29):
Like I mean, I go home and I'm back being
a kid again, you know, the same roof as my
parents and my little brother. So I think being with
them just kind of brings it down a notch. And
staying off the media as much as I can, because obviously,
when I did join the league, it was like very
much in the media, and I would say that I
(15:50):
struggled with that a little bit, just like living up
to it. But I feel like now I've like being
around players that have been in the media a lot,
like how they you know, handle that has really grown
me as a person and help me perform better. And
then also I mean, yeah, just like my mom. She
keeps me very humble.
Speaker 1 (16:12):
That's a good MoMA.
Speaker 3 (16:13):
Just she watches my games like four times. It's crazy.
Speaker 1 (16:19):
That's love. So, Jaden, what would be your priceless moment
from the twenty twenty three season.
Speaker 2 (16:27):
My priceless moment would be this shield winning.
Speaker 3 (16:32):
Honestly, we didn't know the score of the other game
when we were playing, so it was just like take
care of business on our side, and and you know,
fingers crossed.
Speaker 2 (16:44):
LA gets it done.
Speaker 3 (16:46):
And yeah, when I came off, I was like sitting
next to Taylor and she goes, guess what the score
is for the other two for the other game, And
I was like what and she was like it's like
four zero.
Speaker 2 (16:59):
La was like, oh my god.
Speaker 3 (17:01):
So like by the time, I was like ready to
run on the field already. But yeah, so then then
the game ended and then we all just like took
off onto the field and we're so happy, like I mean,
like being able to have this sign and like standing
behind it. It was like literally like my first like
(17:22):
trophy or like first win like with this team, and
as a pro, like that's amazing, like felt so good.
I was like smiling from ear to ear.
Speaker 2 (17:33):
It was crazy.
Speaker 1 (17:34):
My cheeks were hurting, and go figure your rivals up
in LA are the ones that gifted to you. Yeah,
it's bittersweet for LA.
Speaker 2 (17:41):
I bet it was. I mean, I have a friend
on LA and I was like, thanks, thanks for helping
us out, like that was great.
Speaker 1 (17:51):
He's probably making you take her to dinner, right. You
know what has been the biggest challenge for you in
this transition going from from youth soccer basically to professional football.
Speaker 3 (18:07):
I think, like, as most of my coaches know, I'm
very hard on myself and that can be good sometimes
and it can be bad sometimes. And like I said earlier,
when I came into the league, there was a lot
of media behind it, and I think I struggled with
living up to it consistently for a while because I
personally put pressure on myself to do it and I
(18:29):
didn't want to, you know, join the league on such
a high and then you know, just die off. So
I think I struggled with that a little bit when
I first joined. But I think, you know, just not
lowering my expectations, but not being so mean to myself.
If I have like a average or below average game,
if I don't score two goals and it's like end
(18:51):
of the world, you know, But yeah, I think that
was my main struggle really coming in to this proenvironment.
Speaker 1 (18:59):
Well, you are incredibly mature, Jaden, and listening to you
communicate everything that you've already gone through is very impressive.
So congratulations again on an incredible achievement, an incredible season,
and I think we're all excited to see what comes
next for you.
Speaker 2 (19:15):
So good luck, thank you,
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