United States women’s national team head coach Emma Hayes expects Gotham FC midfielder Jaedyn Shaw to feature in the upcoming April international friendlies against Japan.
Shaw hasn’t played for Gotham since the Bats’ March 14 NWSL regular-season road opener against Boston Legacy FC.
Since then, the 21-year-old has been sidelined due to a hamstring injury, though Gotham head coach Juan Carlos Amorós hinted that Shaw is closing in on a return to match action.
USWNT Head Coach Hayes Discusses Shaw’s Return-To-Play Timeline
Hayes discussed the decision to call Shaw into the USWNT 26-player training camp squad, despite her lack of recent game time during Wednesday’s media availability.
“I’ve been in touch with [Gotham FC’s] medical team,” Hayes said. “I know Jaedyn will be available in the upcoming fixtures. She has been training. When you’re so early in this part of the season, I think it’s critical when you’ve got a little bit of fatigue in the hamstring, it’s better to err on the side of caution at this stage, knowing that she’s got a camp coming up and she wants to hit the ground running, going back into NWSL.”
The decorated 49-year-old national team head coach described Shaw as “an important part of our plans.” Hayes said that she fully expects the Frisco, Texas native to start in one of the three matches against Japan.
“I’m looking for Jaedyn to participate from the start in one game,” Hayes stated. “If she wasn’t capable of doing that, the medical and performance teams would have told me that.”
Gotham FC Will Be Well Represented in USWNT Friendlies Against Japan
Five Gotham players, including captain Tierna Davidson, Lilly Reale, Emily Sonnett, Rose Lavelle and Shaw, were selected to the USWNT training camp roster, and the Bats had the most call-ups of any NWSL club.
The United States will play Japan in three consecutive matches between April 11 and April 17 with the first match occurring on April 11 at 5:30 p.m. Eastern Time at San Jose’s PayPal Park, followed by an April 14 match at 10:00 p.m. Eastern Time at Seattle’s Lumen Field, and concluding with a third friendly on April 17 at 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time at Commerce City, Colorado’s Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.
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