NC Courage signs one of top teenagers in US, former Duke commit, to pro soccer contract

One of the top young women’s soccer players in the United States is turning pro early, and will play in the shadow of the school to which she’d originally committed.

The NC Courage of the National Women’s Soccer League announced Friday the signing of 17-year-old midfielder Riley Jackson, a star on the U.S. Women’s Junior Team who’d verbally committed to Duke University last fall.

“I’m just beyond excited to be here,” Jackson said during her first news conference with the team. “The atmosphere here is the best in the U.S., with what I’ve seen so far. And this jersey with my last name on it makes it even more real.”

NC Courage’s social media has hinted at new, and potentially impactful, player signings all week long. They’ve slowly crept toward the NSWL maximum of 26 active roster members, including the addition of Japanese midfielder Manaka Matsukubo, who joins on loan from the Japanese WE League.

Friday’s addition of Jackson was the big splash.

Who is Riley Jackson?

Originally from Roswell, Georgia, Jackson was the No. 1 recruit on PrepSoccer for the Class of 2024. By signing with the Courage, she has chosen to forgo her NCAA eligibility. Athletes who choose to play professionally must relinquish collegiate participation, according to NCAA rules.

The midfielder was a co-captain for Team USA in the U17 World Cup in 2022 and earned a Golden Ball, given to the top player in the tournament, and during the 2021-22 season, she was named the Gatorade National Player of the Year.

Jackson participated in training sessions in 2022 and 2023, and will join the Courage via the NWSL’s U18 entry pipeline.

Jackson said she’ll reunite with a few familiar faces with the Courage, including former teammates and head coach Sean Nahas, who first met Jackson during the U15 National Team camp just before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Nahas said he immediately took notice of Jackson’s skill level, and has kept up with her since then.

“We knew in that moment that there was something special about her talents,” Nahas said. “And the way she saw the game. And when we brought her in last year, we saw how the team took to her, just in her quality throughout the week, and the big thing this year was trying to make sure we implemented a style of play. And now that we’ve implemented a pretty good style of play it’s about filling in those spaces with players that know how to play at that level.”

Jackson described her playing style as a passer, that she uses her vision to make things happen in the midfield. Which fits in quite nicely with the Courage’s playing style that heavily relies on the defense and midfield to make quick and accurate passes to keep the ball moving around its opponent.

“I love to pass,” Jackson said. “And before we get into every session, we warm up with technical work, and that really makes me bring out the best in me. And watching them play, they play like no other team.”

Strengthening Courage team

Nahas said Jackson’s signing is a part of a “project” that he’s working toward — strengthening the depth and longevity of the Courage to last longer than one or two years. Jackson’s contract is guaranteed through 2025, with an optional year in 2026, and is another NWSL signee a part of the larger youth movement happening in the league.

There are other factors at play, with Jackson not turning 18 until December, including her final year of school. Jackson said she’s planning to do online school, but has already created a support system within the NC Courage and her family to keep track of everything happening.

“It shouldn’t be too hard,” Jackson said. “I’ve missed a lot of school in the past, and my teachers are really great and understanding, and they’re super excited for me.”

Nahas said there’s “no rush” for Jackson’s development, but has the expectation that she’ll make it into the lineup eventually. He said he doesn’t want to put any pressure or expectations on Jackson to come in and make an immediate jump, but rather let Jackson take her time to develop and prepare for the professional level. Nahas also said he feels that despite the more traditional path of college then professional, Jackson has the talent to make the jump straight into the professional league.

“If you’re good enough to play, you should be able to play,” Nahas said. “There shouldn’t be anything to hold you back ... She’s capable, we wouldn’t bring her in if we didn’t think she was capable.”

The Courage sit atop the NWSL standings, at 8-2-5, including points in four of the last five matches. They’re also leading the Challenge Cup at 2-2-0.

Jackson will be formally introduced to Courage fans during Saturday’s match against the Orlando Pride during halftime. She’ll begin training with the team immediately, and will start working her way toward the lineup as Jackson reaches the team’s fitness levels.

This story was originally published July 28, 2023 at 1:08 PM with the headline "NC Courage signs one of top teenagers in US, former Duke commit, to pro soccer contract."