The U.S. Women’s National Team knows what must be done to rebound from its early exit from this summer’s World Cup.
Put the soccer ball into the back of the net.
A pair of youthful San Diegans showed Sunday that they may be of assistance in the years ahead.
Mia Fishel, 22, and Jaedyn Shaw, 18, each scored in a 3-0 victory over Colombia before an announced crowd of 16,202 in the national team’s first appearance at Snapdragon Stadium.
Fans were especially loud in support of Fishel, a Patrick Henry High School alum, and Shaw, a San Diego Wave standout. Neither were part of the goal-parched U.S. team that was bounced early from this summer’s World Cup.
Known as the “Big Fish,” the forward Fishel induced roars with a header from 6 yards that made it 1-0 in the 56th minute. The 5-foot-7 striker jumped to meet Emily Sonnett’s right-to-left crossing pass and sent a firm bounder past the goalkeeper.
The goal was Fishel’s first with the U.S. in just her second match.
“It was amazing just knowing that my family was in the stands,” she said. “The sacrifices that they’ve had with me in this career, it’s overwhelming.”
Fans roared again as Fishel celebrated the goal by angling her hands above her face, representing a dorsal fin.
“I like the shark,” said Fishel, who afterward wore a “Big Fish” friendship bracelet given her by a fan.
The United States’ Jaedyn Shaw, center, celebrates after scoring a goal against Colombia.
(K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Shaw struck in the 83rd minute for her first goal in her second match with the U.S. Three weeks shy of her 19th birthday, she became the youngest player to score for the U.S. since Mallory Pugh (now Swanson) scored against Colombia at the 2016 Olympics.
The teenager controlled a through pass in tight quarters and punched the ball past the goalkeeper.
It was the kind of delicate goal that delights soccer aficionados.
Soon after that celebration faded, the crowd sent up a chant punctuated by claps.
“Jae-dyn Shaaw,” clap clap, clap-clap-clap.
It was golf claps or nothing for Shaw in her limited prior experiences with the U.S. team in other cities.
“Actually, I told my mom (from) my last camp, ‘Mom, like nobody knows my name, it’s kind of weird.’ ’’ she said. “Now, it’s like, they all knew my name. And, it was absolutely amazing.”
Jaedyn Shaw celebrates during Sunday’s win.
(K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Fishel and Shaw seldom played together before Sunday.
Fishel spent three years at UCLA before she began her professional career in Mexico with the Tigres of Monterrey, then joined Chelsea Football Club, the London-based winner of the English Super League’s past three titles.
Shaw, who grew up near Dallas, joined the Wave in the summer of 2022.
Referring to Shaw as her “little buddy,” Fishel reported Friday the two had become friends in their time together this month with the U.S. club.
The two entered Sunday’s contest to begin the second half. A few minutes later, they produced a near-miss, Shaw threading a pass that Fishel hit over the bar.
“Jaedyn, we’ve grown a great connection off the field,” said Fishel. “It showed on the field. She’s an amazing person, an amazing player, and I just can’t wait for future chances with her.”
Lindsey Horan (10) celebrates with Mia Fishel, left, after scoring a goal against Colombia.
(K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
The U.S., ranked third by FIFA, and Colombia, ranked 22nd, were meeting in their second exhibition match in four days.
Thursday’s scoreless match in Utah reprised some uncomfortable World Cup memories for some Americans. Sunday, the failure to score in the first half, despite outshooting the visitors 8-1, added to some of the frustration.
Depth favored the Americans, however — entering the match and as play unfolded in warm weather. Colombia lost its goalkeeper to a first-half injury sustained when she deflected a hard shot from Alex Morgan. The Colombians’ play further deteriorated later in the half and onward.
For Shaw, Morgan and local soccer fans, the attention now shifts to the Wave’s playoff match Sunday against the OL Reign at Snapdragon Stadium.
As for the U.S. team, it is expected to announce a new head coach soon.
Introductions to Fishel and Shaw may not be necessary. They’re making themselves known.
“It’s an absolute honor to be in camp, have my name up there, let alone be on the field,” Shaw said. “I honestly don’t care who the U.S. Women’s National Team chooses (as its coach),” Fishel said. “All I can control is how I play.”
She said she’ll press forward, while “knowing that I’m good enough, knowing that I’m improving every day, and it’s going to be undeniable when I get on the national team.”
