10 Young Players You Need to Watch in the NWSL Right Now
The emergence of youth taking the NWSL by storm continues to amaze fans. With young girls coming into the league straight out of high school or even younger ages, the league has a bright future. Let’s take a look at the ten young players in the NWSL right now that you need to keep an eye out for!
Melanie Barcenas
Over a year ago, Barcenas signed a three-year deal for San Diego Wave FC, making her the youngest player to sign a professional contract in the NWSL. Her dribbling skill and clever touch have made her out to be a player with a great amount of potential. Barcenas also inked an NIL deal with Nike. Gaining experience on the San Diego Wave FC roster with strong role models like Alex Morgan and Naomi Girma should positively shape Barcenas into an impactful player for years to come.
Chloe Ricketts
Washington Spirit added a youthful threat to their roster when they signed 15-year-old Chloe Ricketts. She became the second youngest player to sign a contract for an NWSL team. Alongside a young Trinity Rodman and the Spirit’s rookies this season, Ricketts contributes to the youth of the Spirit’s offensive line.
Olivia Moultrie
Signing when she was three days older than Ricketts. Olivia Moultrie has similarly made headlines as another 15-year-old signing to a professional soccer roster. Moultrie grabbed the attention of many women’s soccer fans when she successfully challenged the league’s age rule. Although she has a young career in the NWSL, her impact is undeniable since she has paved a pathway for many youngsters to develop their skills on NWSL rosters.
Alex Pfeiffer
At 15 years and 338 days old, Pfeiffer penned a deal for the Kansas City Current. She has had experience with U15, U16, and U17 U.S. National Teams. Pfeiffer helped the Current secure their first win of the season with a 68th-minute goal against the Portland Thorns. This makes her the youngest NWSL goal scorer in history.
Gisele Thompson
Gisele signed her contract at 17 and brought new energy to Angel City. She is the younger sister of Alyssa Thompson, and the dynamic duo’s presence on the same roster can pose a threat to opposing NWSL squads. With her older sister having experience on the senior national team, it would be no surprise if Gisele found herself suiting up for the USWNT in the future.
Emeri Adames
As Seattle Reign’s youngest club member, Emeri Adames has set herself as a player full of potential. She signed her contract at 17 in 2024, making her the first under-18 player in the club’s history. Her time on the USYNT squads and her prolific goal-scoring season as a high school freshman has bedazzled many, and she looks to continue her success as she just scored her first professional goal for the Reign.
Manaka Matsukubo
Nineteen-year-old Matsukubo has already displayed great skill in her early NWSL career after securing the 2023 NWSL Challenge Cup MVP Award. With her thrilling half-volley goal in the Challenge Cup, Matsukubo became the youngest to score in the tournament and start a match in the tournament. The Courage will utilize Matsukubo while they can since she is only on loan until June of this year.
Alyssa Thompson
Although the older Thompson sister, Alyssa, is still a young 19-year-old who has been making headlines since she entered the league. Angel City FC selected her with the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NWSL draft. Now, being on the same roster as her younger sister, Alyssa is expected to continue taking leaps in her NWSL and national career.
Jaedyn Shaw
Already an alluring star on the senior WNT, Shaw has developed phenomenally well with U.S. Youth teams and in the NWSL. The Wave signed the 19-year-old to a contract that keeps her in San Diego until 2026. Scoring in her first club appearance and her first-ever start in the NWSL points to Shaw’s unwavering work ethic. Shaw is also the first ever Vietnamese American to play a match and score a goal for the USWNT. Fans are eager to witness the strides Shaw will make in the NWSL and on the national level.
Amanda Allen
Nineteen-year-old Amanda Allen signed with the Orlando Pride in April of 2023 and really began to shine this season. A Canadian international, Allen has already made one appearance for the senior Canada national team.
Bonus: Mckenna Whitham
At just 13 years old, Whitham has already made positive strides in the NWSL. Whitham’s impact has been impressive so far, with a game-winning goal for the NJ/NY Gotham during the 2024 pre-season tournament. Her winning goal came just weeks after she had signed an NIL deal with Nike. Although not currently active, Whitham’s future is one to look out for.
Featured image via @weareangelcity
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