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Jenna Nighswonger made an immediate impact in her debut season. The 2023 campaign saw the Florida State midfielder selected fourth overall by Gotham FC. There, she would not only guide her club to its first NWSL title, but also claim Rookie of the Year honors—all while transitioning to fullback, a position entirely new to her.
But that wasn't enough of a challenge for the Huntington Beach, Calif. native. Following the 2024 season, Nighswonger was eager to push her limits further, signing with WSL club Arsenal in 2025.
"One of my main reasons for heading to England was to experience something different, and I was able to do exactly that," Nighswonger tells Sports Illustrated. "Going there pushed me outside my comfort zone, even away from the pitch. I got to meet wonderful people, build friendships, discover a new country, and that's something I'll always be grateful for and carry with me."
However, Nighswonger saw limited action abroad, making just six appearances for Arsenal and eight appearances on loan at Aston Villa last season. Now, the NWSL and California have drawn her back, with Nighswonger putting pen to paper with Bay FC through 2028. According to ESPN, the deal is reportedly valued at around $200,000.
"Bay was such a thrilling club to join—they have tremendous investment behind them and I'm genuinely excited and grateful to be part of this project," she says. "I think with [manager] Emma [Coates] and her staff, the background, knowledge and expertise they bring, it makes me incredibly eager to learn from them."
Nighswonger's move to Bay represents something of a homecoming. She is thrilled to finally be playing so close to her family. With her parents based in Southern California and her older sister Erin living in Utah, she's anticipating familiar faces at her home matches.
"It's surreal to wake up knowing my parents are in the same time zone, and we play Utah next week," Nighswonger says with a laugh, noting she expects to spot her sister in the crowd.
At just 25, Nighswonger brings a wealth of experience to a youthful Bay FC side. Her time on a championship-winning team and two clubs in England provide her with a distinctive perspective for her new teammates. She takes pride in having competed in two of the world's most demanding leagues and believes it reflects the growth of women's soccer that players can now choose from several elite competitions globally.
"When I went to England, I was asked [which league is more competitive] and I think the decision to return was more about what was professionally and personally the right fit for me," Nighswonger says.
In conversations with Coates and her staff prior to joining Bay, Nighswonger's curiosity was sparked by discussions around tactical flexibility, a quality she considers vital to playing fullback in an ever-evolving role.
"Having the ability to tuck inside, push high, drop deeper—I'm really drawn to that tactical dimension of the game," Nighswonger says. "Emma has such a remarkable background and she and the staff are fully invested and committed. They're going to be incredibly valuable for my development and in sharpening the areas where I want to grow."
As Nighswonger settles into the club's culture, she sees a well-rounded squad where younger players aren't simply there to develop, but to make genuine contributions to the team's success. Much of the roster is in their early 20s, bookended by 18-year-old Alex Pfeiffer and 36-year-old Italian international Cristiana Girelli, with the latter already taking Nighswonger under her wing.
"I watched Girelli at the Euros and wow—the determination she showed and how well Italy performed was incredible, and to now be her teammate is really special," Nighswonger says. "She brings something that younger players can truly learn from—that competitive fire that comes from playing so many international matches."
Even away from the pitch, Girelli is already passing on wisdom. "She also needs to teach me how to properly use the moka pot to make coffee, because apparently I've been doing it all wrong!" Nighswonger laughs. "I invited myself over so she could show me how."
And while she laughs about it, this is precisely what Nighswonger already loves about Bay. The team environment, the warm welcome she received before even lacing up her training boots, the investment she sees in both the club and its players—it has all come together to make her feel like she's found her footing for this next chapter of her career, and she's eager to translate it all onto the field, potentially helping Bay FC climb the standings into playoff contention.
"I'm really excited to contribute in whatever way I can, and obviously I need to bring my strengths to the team to help them, whether that's creating assists, launching attacks or contributing defensively," Nighswonger says. "But I'm also really excited to absorb Emma's tactical approach—I feel like there's so much I can learn from her."
In joining Bay, Nighswonger remains firmly focused on earning a spot on the USWNT's 2027 FIFA World Cup roster. She received her first U.S. women's national team call-up in 2023, went on to make 20 appearances, scored two goals and was part of the squad that claimed 2024 Olympic gold, featuring in five of the six matches at that tournament. However, she hasn't received a call-up since early 2025—and she's determined to change that.
"Everyone always wants to push themselves to be the best they can be," Nighswonger says. "I really want to be at the World Cup—it's something that's always in the back of my mind. So for now, my focus is simply on settling in, getting back into this league, performing well for this team and, hopefully, when you take care of those small details, the bigger rewards will follow."