6 Young Stars You Need to Watch in 2023
2023 is gearing up to be a big year for women’s soccer. With league play all over the world either in full swing or set to begin in the coming months and then the 2023 Women’s World Cup will take place this summer in New Zealand/Australia. With a full women’s soccer calendar for the year in mind, we look at six young stars that you should keep an eye on this year.
Jaedyn Shaw
Shaw made a splash last year when she decided to go pro and join the NWSL via the Discovery Process. The forward signed with the San Diego Wave in July at just 17.
She made her NWSL debut on July 30 when she played a full 90 and scored the game-winner against the Chicago Red Stars.
During the 2020 season, Shaw scored three goals in her six starts for the Wave. Also, in 2022, she represented the United States at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.
She was also recently named the U.S. Soccer Young Female Player of the Year after an impressive year.
Alyssa Thompson
Thompson quickly rose onto the scene when she was called up to the senior USWNT after spending time with the U-20 squad at the U-20 World Cup.
Her USWNT debut was one to remember against England at Wembley Stadium on October 7, 2022.
Thompson was initially committed to playing college soccer at Stanford next fall but has since decided to forgo her college eligibility and has registered for the 2023 NWSL Draft.
After a mega trade, Angel City now holds the first pick in the upcoming draft, and it seems likely that Thompson will be who they take with the first pick.
Michelle Cooper
Cooper is coming off a terrific sophomore season at Duke, one that saw her end her college career being named the MAC Hermann Trophy winner and ACC Player of the Year.
She finished the 2022 season with an impressive 19 goals, 11 assists, and 49 points. Her 19 goals scored and 49 points total both set single-season school records.
After two seasons with Duke, she finished her college career with 31 goals and 16 assists.
Cooper was also part of the 2022 U.S. FIFA U-20 World Cup team.
The Duke standout has officially registered for the 2023 NWSL Draft, and if she chooses to play in the NWSL, we’ll likely hear her name called early on.
Diana Ordóñez
After an impressive college career at the University of Virginia, Ordóñez was drafted by the Courage as the sixth pick in the 2022 NWSL Draft.
Ordóñez had an outstanding first season. The forward appeared in 19 games scoring an NWSL rookie record of 11 goals.
The Courage will lean on Ordóñez during the 2023 season, and if she continues to play at a high level, the forward will be a player to watch for many years to come.
In 2022, the forward received her first caps for the Mexico Women’s National Team.
Mary Fowler
The Australian international first got her start in the W-League with Adelaide United. After catching the eyes of other teams, she made a move to France, where she played with Montpellier.
Last June, Fowler moved to England and signed a four-year deal with Manchester City. So far this season, she’s made five appearances and tallied an assist.
At just 19, Fowler is already a regular on the Australian Women’s National team. So far, she’s tallied 26 appearances and represented Australia at the 2019 Women’s World Cup and 2020 Summer Olympics.
Jordyn Huitema
At 21 years old, Jordyn Huitema is another young player that chose to forgo her college eligibility and start her professional career. She signed a professional contract with Paris Saint-Germain in France in 2019, staying there until 2022.
In June 2022, Huitema signed a two-year contract with OL Reign bringing her to the NWSL. The 2023 season will mark the star’s first full season in the NWSL.
For Canada, Huitema has made 60 appearances and scored 15 goals since debuting for the senior team in 2017. She also represented Canada at the 2019 FIFA World Cup and won a gold medal at the 2020 Summer Olympics.
Featured image via @olreign on Instagram
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