“We give them opportunities to progress without the lenses on them and the expectations being through the roof,” remarked Emma Hayes, as she outlined the key indicators for youth USWNT players aspiring to break into the senior team. The English tactician made it clear that she aims to create opportunities for the next generation by not placing overwhelming pressure on them. Yet, ironically, Olympic gold medalist Jaedyn Shaw still finds herself ‘dealing’ with the constant weight of expectations.
But why? If the manager herself isn’t putting any kind of burden on the players, then why is the new North Carolina Courage forward bothering herself with such a mental toll? Well, this is something that she ends up feeling naturally, primarily because of a certain bar she has set for herself to excel as much as she can. The close admission came during her brief chat on The Women’s Game podcast with ex-USWNT star and host Sam Mewis.
“The pressure of expectation of being better than last year or being like, ‘Okay, you’re in this environment now that suits you and is gonna push you.’ So now, there’s an expectation of, ‘Oh Jay is going to get better.’” remarked Shaw when asked if she was forced to adjust to any kind of pressure over the past couple of years.
“Being in this environment, ‘Oh now she is where she’s supposed to be or where she’s going to continue to evolve. We’re going to see something different or we’re going to see something better.’ That’s something that I’ve maybe put on myself or have made up in my head and I guess dealing with the last couple of weeks,” added the 20-year-old.
“The pressure of being better than last year … that’s something I’ve kinda put on myself.”
Gold medal winner, NWSL record setter, and NC Courage forward @JaedynShaw11 opens up to @sammymewyy about the expectations she sets for herself and how she deals with it
pic.twitter.com/mvCpUXrFKp
— The Women's Game (@WomensGameMIB) April 10, 2025
(This is a developing story…)
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