Jaedyn Shaw Reveals Why Her Gotham FC Trade Feels Like Perfect Match: 'I Fit Right In'

Jaedyn Shaw made her mark on Gotham FC's scoresheet before she had even settled into her New Jersey home—such was the rapid nature of her transfer from the North Carolina Courage to the NJ/NY franchise. Recording a goal and an assist in her opening four appearances with the club, she's already integrating seamlessly. 

"It's certainly been positive, we've spent considerable time traveling, but I'm beginning to get comfortable and have finally settled into my apartment and unpacked my belongings from luggage," Shaw explains. "From a soccer perspective, it's been excellent. I believe it's been a very smooth transition. I'm enthusiastic about what lies ahead with this squad and concluding on a strong note." 

At just 20 years of age, the Texas-born player now finds herself with her third NWSL franchise in three seasons. She launched her professional journey as a teenager in July 2022 when she joined the San Diego Wave, before moving to the Courage through a trade in January 2025. 

Nevertheless, her stint in North Carolina didn't unfold as anticipated, with the promising talent earning just 10 starting positions as her minutes on the pitch decreased. In recent months, she began contemplating her career trajectory, what that might entail at the Courage, and started sensing that her personal vision wasn't aligning with the reality on the field.  

"I was attempting to determine my role within the system, and what that would mean for me over the next year, since my contract extended through the end of next season," Shaw explains. "Clearly, from a statistical standpoint, things didn't develop as hoped, but I departed San Diego to push myself, and I certainly feel that challenge was met." 

Looking back on this difficult phase, Shaw realized this marked the first significant obstacle she had encountered in her career. She had to develop patience and avoid self-blame regarding poor outcomes or limited playing time. 

"My professional journey won't be a continuous upward climb, it's more like a rollercoaster, there will be setbacks, there will be valuable lessons," she explains. "I had to show myself more compassion and maximize my opportunities."

Shaw views her period at the Courage as one of meaningful development and transformation, and she remains grateful for the chance she received with the North Carolina organization.

"I'm pleased I departed on a positive note," she states. "I was certainly developing in that setting; I simply desired something more promising for my future."

A revised collective bargaining agreement has recently provided NWSL players with greater control over their careers, so Shaw needed to consent to her transfer from the Courage to Gotham. 

According to a league source, Gotham initially contacted the Courage regarding a potential trade, but the early overtures were declined. Shaw herself wasn't considering departure, even during a challenging period in her career.

"I'm not someone who will simply walk away whenever circumstances become difficult," she states. "I'm someone who shows resilience and willingness to endure hardships to reach the other side, but once I began having genuine conversations with the [Gotham] coaching staff and team members, consulting people whose judgment I value, I felt this would be an excellent decision for me and the future I envisioned."

As Shaw considered her immediate prospects, she discovered in Gotham an organization whose objectives matched her own, providing a personalized approach to her development and an environment where she could discover her role. She perceives Gotham's training philosophy as one that suits her background, where individual improvement serves the collective goals within a professional atmosphere featuring elite-level players. 

"I won't hesitate to take a significant leap, and I realize I'm not the most conventional player in the league," Shaw says with a chuckle. "I believe for me, considering all the factors that aligned during my discussions with the staff, it was a choice that ultimately felt right, I was completely comfortable with it, and I haven't second-guessed it."

Immediate influence at Gotham 

It's been under a month since Gotham acquired Shaw for $1.25 million in a record-setting transfer from the Courage, but she's already beginning to feel completely at home. From the practice environment to off-field team bonding, Shaw has found joining Gotham to be an pleasant experience—and it's entirely due to the people.

"With all the players, the coaching staff, I feel like I've integrated perfectly with the group and," she says, "I was already familiar with some teammates, and it's been wonderful to arrive, compete alongside such remarkable players, continue growing and contribute to team victories. Whether that's creating an assist, making a defensive play, or scoring a goal, I'm enjoying myself on the pitch and away from it." 

Shaw now becomes part of a squad filled with both familiar and new teammates, and she is discovering the optimal ways she can contribute to a Gotham team close to securing a playoff position. From her senior national team connections with Rose Lavelle to her former youth national team colleague Sarah Schupansky, she's building new relationships and strengthening existing on-field chemistry. Particularly, her collaboration with Gotham's leading scorer and Golden Boot candidate Esther may become the crucial element in Gotham's final surge during the regular season's closing stretch.

"I was simply thrilled to join and compete with everyone," Shaw states. "I understand Esther is exceptional, and I knew I would need to arrive and become someone who observes her positioning to help create opportunities for her. I think that's beginning to develop. We were finding some rhythm in the Portland match, and we're starting to understand each other's patterns."

Players, coaches and staff at Gotham have rapidly embraced Shaw into their ranks, providing support both on and off the field, and ensuring the transition proceeds as smoothly as possible. The team recognizes Shaw as someone eager to absorb knowledge, to comprehend the requirements of each role and invest the necessary time to become familiar with Gotham's approach. 

"She's an outstanding player, she can influence the match at any moment and possesses a unique talent," stated head coach Juan Carlos Amorós. "It hasn't been a simple adjustment for her in the middle of the season changing everything both on the field and off the field, but she's handled it remarkably well."

Amorós wasn't personally acquainted with Shaw before her transfer to Gotham, but was immediately impressed by her maturity both as a competitor and as an individual, which has enabled her to integrate immediately with her teammates and the coaching staff. 

"She's been wonderful and has integrated perfectly both on and off the field," said Gotham teammate Jaelin Howell. "We've encountered some confusion with the 'Jae' and 'Jae' situation in the midfield, but honestly, she's been fantastic, has made an immediate contribution, and we're extremely pleased to have her. Her potential here is unlimited."

As Shaw adapts to her new training setting and squad, she is also discovering how to maximize her time in the New York/New Jersey region. The Dallas Cowboys supporter attended a Giants game with her teammates and enjoyed the experience as "a neutral observer." She hasn't yet sampled one of the area's renowned bagels, but it's on her to-do list. Currently, her attention is on her career, her new squad, and getting acquainted with the enthusiastic supporters at Sports Illustrated Stadium.

"I simply want to dedicate everything I have to this organization," she states. "I want to contribute everything possible for as long as I'm able."