Each month in the leadup to the World Cup, Just Women’s Sports will make the case for one player as most essential to the success of the U.S. women’s national team in 2023. Next up: Naomi Girma.

The future of the U.S. women’s national team’s defense also has cemented herself as its present ahead of the 2023 World Cup.

After nearly sweeping the NWSL’s end-of-season awards as a rookie in 2022 – which included winning rookie and defender of the year and finishing as an MVP finalist – Naomi Girma has picked up right where she left off to begin 2023.

2 awards in year 1.@alywagner breaks down what makes @naomi_girma so special in Inside the Game presented by @mastercard. pic.twitter.com/lewlUBo9cG

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) October 27, 2022

As a center back for the San Diego Wave, Girma has established herself as one of the best in the NWSL. And this summer at the World Cup, she’ll prove herself on the world stage.

While captain Becky Sauerbrunn has anchored the USWNT defense for the better part of 214 caps, Girma has stepped up as her successor.

“There’s a reason she’s starting on our team, and that’s because she is growing into a great player,” USWNT head coach Vlatko Andonovski said of the defender.

And those sentiments are echoed by others who have coached her. Casey Stoney, who is her head coach with the Wave, has had to remind the masses that Girma is only in her second season as a pro.

“I think she’s just gonna continue to grow. Obviously, people need to realize this is only her second year as a professional,” she said recently. “Last year’s an exceptional season, and she’s played well again this season.”

And Stoney sees “masses of potential” and room for growth despite Girma already being “so good on the ball.”

“I think her ability on the ball is good,” she said. “It’s just about decision-making, confidence and bravery sometimes, and also, you know, seeing the pictures.”

Still, Girma plays with the maturity of someone with much more experience under their belt, and the former No. 1 overall pick has mobility that some players could only dream of possessing.

The 22-year-old is dangerous as she drives forward on the dribble. She knows her teammates’ movements and holds a strong passing range – a skill that will only get better as she continues to find her place with USWNT teammates.

“There’s some players that have made their mark in such a short period of time,” Alex Morgan said in the most recent USWNT camp of Girma, Trinity Rodman and Sophia Smith. “Those are just a couple of the players that have already shown that they belong and will be here for many, many years. So, it’s exciting to see what they can do in a World Cup and how they can really be a huge factor in us being successful this summer.”

Naomi Girma makes this game look so easy - she just has so much skill on the ball and so much mobility in the back.

2023 is going to be a big year for her and the USWNT. pic.twitter.com/l04Juh3FUn

— Joseph Lowery (@joeclowery) January 12, 2023

Girma also knows how to position herself and read the game, and that makes it difficult for opposing attackers to find space. And the defender can help the USWNT attack find space as well.

According to American Soccer Analysis’ goals added metric, Girma led the NWSL in “interrupting” value in 2022. She also was rated in the 96th percentile for ball recoveries and in the 92nd percentile for fewest times dribbled past per 90 among center backs in the NWSL, per FBref.

A shining quality of Naomi Girma is her ability to set the attack with long-range accuracy or dribble out of pressure. This is the type of incisive pass the #USWNT needs more of. It's paying off already.pic.twitter.com/tcrdPC4CqQ

— Jeff Kassouf (@JeffKassouf) July 7, 2022

“There’s very few players in my whole tenure that have stepped in and it’s just like, ‘Oh yeah, that’s a first person on the team sheet’ type of player every single time,” Megan Rapinoe said of Girma in February. “She’s just that good. I don’t think you can leave her off the field, calm, extremely smart. I don’t think her physicality gets talked about enough, deceptively quick. If you have any kind of quickness and brain, then that’s a wrap.

“She can play any kind of ball. She’s a great leader. She’s just f—ing good. It’s tough to step into this team at this level and immediately be a no-brainer starter. … The impact was just immediate with Naomi. She’s going to be the future of the team for a long time.”

Who is the most essential USWNT player?

• The case for… Mallory Swanson
• The case for… Rose Lavelle
• The case for… Sophia Smith
• The case for… Catarina Macario
• The case for… Alex Morgan
• The case for… Becky Sauerbrunn
• The case for… Lynn Williams
• The case for… Julie Ertz
• The case for… Crystal Dunn

Ticket prices are skyrocketing across the WNBA, with commissioner Cathy Engelbert addressing the surge after several New York Liberty fans wore T-shirts in protest of the increase.

Donning orange shirts emblazoned with the phrase "We've been priced out," New York fans came together to express their frustrations at a recent game.

The WNBA fans' custom shirts referred to season ticket price jumps of more than 250%, saying the Liberty is asking upwards of $30,000 for 2026 renewals.

Some New York season ticket holders noted that their 2026 renewal more than triples the cost they paid for the team's 2024 championship-winning campaign.

The exponential increase isn't just occurring in the New York market, however — it points to an overall rise in ticket prices across the WNBA.

The WNBA's recent ticket surge has seen seats across the league jumping by an average cost increase of 43% in the last year alone.

"In order to fund all these investments that owners are making, and obviously paying the players more which we will do in this next CBA cycle…that's the reality," Engelbert said on Thursday's episode of In Case You Missed It with Khristina Williams. "That's our responsibility as a league and team owners."

Calling the price hikes a result of "simple economics" and "high demand," Engelbert acknowledged the effect on fans, though did not address potential solutions.

"I realize there's some concern out there, certainly that we don't price out our kind of core fan base," she noted.

Chelsea FC is playing it close to the chest, with big-name new signing Alyssa Thompson and previously injured superstar Sam Kerr waiting in the wings as manager Sonia Bompastor teases a 2025/26 WSL season debut for the pair.

Kerr joined the 18-player game-day roster for Chelsea FC's opening-day victory over Manchester City last Friday, but saw her season debut delayed as the Australian remained an unused sub while Thompson greeted fans from the stands.

This Sunday's matchup against Aston Villa provides another chance for the standouts to take the pitch, as the six-time reigning WSL champs hunt another result.

"With Alyssa, we are looking for her to be able to play. We don't have the confirmation yet, but we are hoping for her to be able to play in this game," Chelsea boss Sonia Bompastor said earlier today. "I think she has already shown some good things this week in training, and we can see what she can bring to the team."

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Bompastor went on to call last week's decision to keep Kerr on the bench "my choice," saying "She's doing everything she can to be available for the squad and available to start…. The next step for her is to be involved in a short game in the league, and maybe we'll see that on Sunday."

USWNT fans will not get a glimpse of defender Naomi Girma, however, as the January 2025 Chelsea addition sat out last Friday's clash with a calf injury and remains unavailable.

How to watch Aston Villa vs. Chelsea FC this weekend

With the possibility of Thompson and Kerr taking the WSL pitch, Chelsea will visit Aston Villa at 7 AM ET on Sunday, with live coverage of the match streaming on ESPN+.

Splashy new Gotham FC addition Jaedyn Shaw is returning West, as the No. 6 NY/NJ club preps for a Friday night clash against the No. 3 San Diego Wave — Shaw's original NWSL team — days after signing the USWNT prospect from the No. 11 North Carolina Courage.

"I'm so excited to be a part of this incredible club and community," the 20-year-old said after her NWSL-record $1.25 million transfer to Gotham. "I'm looking forward to playing alongside world class players and giving my all to help the team win another championship."

After finding immediate success with the Wave in 2023, Shaw requested a trade to the Courage in January 2025, initiating what turned out to be a short stint in Cary, NC.

"I've grown so much just over the past few months, being at the Courage," Shaw told ESPN on Thursday. "I feel like I've matured a lot. I've had to experience things that I haven't necessarily experienced in my career and having to deal with those things."

Gotham and Shaw are currently "working toward an updated and extended contract," per a team release on Thursday, with the young attacker looking to boost Gotham's offense while adding to her 16-goal and five-assist NWSL career tally.

How to watch the San Diego Wave vs. Gotham on Friday

Shaw could take the pitch for No. 6 Gotham in her new club's Friday night visit to the No. 3 San Diego Wave.

The match kicks off at 10 PM ET, with live coverage airing on Prime.

The No. 1 Kansas City Current are closing in on the 2025 NWSL Shield, gearing up for a Saturday night showdown against the No. 2 Washington Spirit that could inject insurmountable distance between the Current and the rest of the league.

With a 14-point lead at the top of the NWSL standings, Kansas City has already clinched a postseason berth, and the Current only need only a few more results to secure a franchise-first league trophy.

Even more, KC enters Saturday's match on an 11-game unbeaten streak, with the Current hosting the Spirit at their home CPKC Stadium — a pitch where Kansas City has yet to drop a match this year.

Despite that dominance, it may not be smooth sailing for the Current, as Washington's future is beginning to take shape behind recently returned star Trinity Rodman, whose brace lifted the Spirit over the No. 7 Seattle Reign last Sunday.

"She's not back, because she's a different player," Washington head coach Adrián González told reporters about Rodman's level of play. "After her injury, she's more prepared mentally. She's having enough time to get the minutes, the training, and the exposures that she needs with no pressure."

How to watch the Kansas City Current vs. Washington Spirit

The No. 1 Kansas City Current will host the No. 2 Washington Spirit on Saturday, with the top-tier match kicking off live at 7:30 PM ET on ION.