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Jaedyn Shaw has arrived. There's no denying it anymore, is there? While there's always a waiting period when a young prospect emerges, a little bit of time before you want to make the official proclamation of what they are, that waiting period, when it comes to Shaw, is officially over.No matter her age, no matter her inexperience, no matter the names around her in the depth chart, it has to be said: Shaw is officially the U.S. women's national team's newest superstar.Her performances since breaking into the USWNT have solidified her status. Just six months on from her debut, Shaw has already locked down her place among the team's biggest stars.<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>Her rise comes at a crucial time, too. Last summer's World Cup disaster is still fresh in the mind of anyone who follows the USWNT. The program, always the best in the women's game, was exposed in Australia and New Zealand. For the USWNT, that was embarrassing, prompting a reset and refocus from the top down.That reset is moving faster than expected, largely due to Shaw. They didn't have her last summer, but the USWNT sure does now. And, with the Olympics just around the corner, Shaw has already emerged as this team's game-changer.

Jaedyn Shaw is a fully-fledged superstar! USWNT's record-breaking teenager must start at the Olympics this summer

Friendlies

England

In the aftermath of last summer's World Cup, the U.S. needed to start afresh. There was a short turnaround until the Olympics, so the program couldn't be completely turned over, but it was vital to start ushering in new faces to replace players like the retiring Megan Rapinoe and Julie Ertz.Shaw was one of those who made sense to draft in. A legitimate star at the youth level and in her initial season-and-a-half in the NWSL, Shaw earned her first call-up in September, but didn't win her first cap until October against Colombia. She went scoreless in that first game, but that has since become the anomaly, rather than the norm.Shaw scored her first international goal in her second cap, helping the USWNT to a 3-0 win over that same Colombia team. About a month later, she doubled her tally in front of her hometown crowd in Frisco, Texas. That was a game-winner, too, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/uswnt-jaedyn-shaw-china-player-ratings/bltf5104c9c937cfd7e" target="_blank">as Shaw completed a 2-1 comeback victory over China.</a>The Gold Cup is where Shaw really went from prospect to star, though. During the USWNT's run, Shaw played in all six matches and scored four goals, becoming the first player in program history to score in their first four starts. She was awarded the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/alex-morgan-golden-ball-winner-jaedyn-shaw-winners-and-losers-of-uswnt-gold-cup-triumph/bltfcaeeb6f32b421bf" target="_blank">Golden Ball as the tournament's best player </a>following the win over Brazil in the final. Given she won't turn 20 until November, what Shaw is doing at this stage of her career is unprecedented, and it feels like this is just the start.

Strong start

With the Gold Cup now behind them, the USNWT turned their focus to the SheBelieves Cup, which began on Saturday. It opened with a clash between the USWNT and one of the world's top teams, Japan. The U.S. went behind early, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/nightmare-start-for-uswnt-japan-shebelieves-cup-semifinal/blte75a84508f08c0b9" target="_blank">conceding inside he first 30 seconds</a>. but they weren't trailing for longWith her seventh goal in just 11 USWNT appearances, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/uswnt-player-ratings-vs-japan-jaedyn-shaw/blt1cb9efd2bda3182d" target="_blank">Shaw bagged the equaliser midway through the first half, before Lindsey Horan's penalty secured a 2-1 win for the hosts.</a> Shaw's strike stretched her record-breaking run to goals in each of her first five USWNT starts. Additionally, she's only the 13th U.S. player ever to score in five consecutive starts at any point, and at 19 years and 138 days, also the youngest. Among the others that accomplished that feat? Mia Hamm, Abby Wambach, Carli Lloyd, Christen Press, Alex Morgan and Rapinoe. Not a bad list, to put it lightly.The old saying states that if you're good enough, you're old enough, and Shaw has certainly proven that mantra to be correct. Playing with the USWNT, though, comes with off-field responsibilities, too, and Shaw seems to be stepping into her new role as one of the faces of a new generation.

Record-breaker

In these early days of her USWNT career, Shaw hasn't seemed phased by the increased media scrutiny that comes with starring for such a successful team. She's seemed comfortable and her personality has shone through in her interviews so far.Shaw doesn't seem to be nervous when the cameras are on her, but even so, you have to imagine there were some butterflies when she found herself staring down Superman <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/video-trinity-rodman-jaedyn-shaw-vs-shaq-uswnt-stars-penalties-nba-legend-o-neal/blt9556e9d1fdab447d#csf0ee2ec65e8a36fd" target="_blank">during a recent media appearance.</a>Alongside Trinity Rodman, Shaw featured on TNT's NBA coverage to promote the SheBelieves Cup. The selection of Shaw alongside Rodman to appear spoke volumes. Rodman, of course, is an obvious choice, given her status as a rising star over the past few years, as well as her famous last name being familiar to NBA viewers. Shaw is a relative newcomer, but has more than earned her place alongside Rodman as one of the faces of this USWNT.As part of their appearance, the two took penalties against NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal. Rodman went for a social media clip, attempting to nutmeg the seven-footer, only to see her shot blasted away. Shaw, meanwhile, made no mistake, ensuring Shaq would have no chance at stopping her penalty.<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Shaq stops Trinity Rodman and Candace Parker, cannot stop Jaedyn Shaw <a href="https://t.co/iDNw37VKdo">pic.twitter.com/iDNw37VKdo</a>— CJ Fogler 🫡 (@cjzero) <a href="https://twitter.com/cjzero/status/1775393946287411453?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 3, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

</center>It wasn't the most pressure-filled moment of Shaw's career... not by a longshot. But her appearance shows just how far she's come in such a short time. Thanks to her dominance on the field, Shaw is beginning to crack into the mainstream.

Taking down Shaq

Post-World Cup, the biggest focus for the USWNT has been figuring out its attack. It's a talented unit, one loaded with superstars, but one that went totally flat last summer. They scored just four goals in as many games at the tournament, and three of those came against minnows Vietnam.The continued breakout of Rodman has helped, while the returns from injury of Catarina Macario and Mallory Swanson will, too. But it's Shaw's breakout that has been the biggest difference for the U.S. in the months since their defeat Down Under.In total, the U.S. has scored 30 goals in 13 games post-World Cup, picking up wins over top teams like Brazil, Japan, Canada and Colombia, all of whom will be part of the Olympic field this summer. That Shaw has scored almost a quarter of those goals highlights her telling contribution.It isn't all Shaw, obviously. A number of players have stepped up in this Twila Kilgore interim era, which will soon transition into the Emma Hayes era. Hayes will have plenty of dynamic attackers to choose from when she arrives from Chelsea this summer, but Shaw may just be the most game-changing of the group, despite being the youngest of them all.“I think Jaedyn has always been a really good goal-scorer,” Kilgore said of Shaw. “I think finding your niche in this team and being able to score consistently is quite a feat, especially as you’re being integrated. And I would actually say even though she’s here, she’s doing a great job, we’re seeing great things from her and we’re really pleased."

Adding life to USWNT attack

Put on any USWNT game and you'll certainly notice Shaw even before she finds the back of the net, such is the level of her talent. What makes her so useful, though, is that she can play all over the pitch, giving the U.S. different options tactically. Hayes is known for tinkering with her systems, and there are no shortage of ways she can play with Shaw as her newest chess piece.The teenager can play on the wing, as she has in many of her USWNT appearances. With Rodman on the right, Shaw has lined-up on the left, but the 19-year-old is good enough with both feet to play on either flank should the opportunity arise, With three midfielders behind her, Shaw can be a team's primary playmaker, capable of opening a defense up for herself or for someone else.“It’s her focus, it’s her calmness, and I believe that she’s looking at beating the goalkeeper and not necessarily the person that’s right in front of her,” Kilgore said. “I think that’s almost a given at this point. And it’s more about beating the goalkeeper... She’s willing to take the risk and hit a first-time ball or even take a risk and make a well-timed run and assume the ball is going to get there as opposed to waiting for the ball. And that sets her apart from a lot of people.”<a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/uswnt-player-ratings-vs-japan-jaedyn-shaw/blt1cb9efd2bda3182d" target="_blank">In the win over Japan</a>, though, Shaw started as more of a No.10. It's a role she's played at club level for the San Diego Wave, where she operates as more of an attacking midfielder or even as a shadow striker. She has a knack for goals, and playing her in that attacking midfield role gives defenses one extra headache to worry about when trying to defend wave after wave of USWNT attacks.Either way, Hayes will certainly enjoy finding new ways to deploy Shaw, who has the quality to add so many good things to the U.S. attack.

Special talent

The world has started to take notice of Shaw. She hasn't been with the USWNT long, but she's already made one heck of a mark. Normally, a coach would deflect that sort of attention. They'd speak about the importance of tempering expectations or taking things slowly. <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/uswnt-superstar-jaedyn-shaw-has-u-s-interim-boss-twila-kilgore-buzzing/blted9454609deb5a34#cs919c87705c2202d3" target="_blank">Kilgore, though, knows there's no point.</a> The USWNT interim coach admitted that Shaw is here to stay, but she also wants the world to know that this is all just getting started.“She’s open to challenges" Kilgore said. "She’s very humble, she’s hard working, she wants to be better. And while the world is saying, ‘Yeah, she’s here and she’s arrived,’ and I agree she’s doing a great job, be patient because there’s more lot more for her."That's bad news for just about every team in the world. No team has been able to churn out more stars than the USWNT in the history of the game. It's been a conveyor belt of icons from the 99ers right on through.Shaw has a ways to go until she reaches that level, obviously, as she's only just getting started. The 19-year-old attacker is clearly next up, though, as she continues her ascent into superstar status.

'She's here and she's arrived'

Jaedyn Shaw is a fully-fledged superstar! USWNT's record-breaking teenager must start at the Olympics this summer | Goal.com Kenya

USWNT star Jaedyn Shaw is dominating on the international level already, which is bad news for the rest of the world.