Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Last week, Jenna Nighswonger wrote a letter to her past self. Her teammate Sabrina Flores led the club in an exercise of reflection as the team prepared for its semifinal matchup against the Portland Thorns, and Nighswonger took stock of just how far she’s come this season.
“It’s crazy how different everything turned out from what I initially thought at the start of the season,” Nighswonger exclusively told The Equalizer.
From a last-minute declaration for the 2023 NWSL Draft to shifting from midfield to left back, Nighswonger has had a whirlwind of a year. Now, she can add winning Rookie of the Year to the list.
“I remember talking to the team and Juan [Carlos Amorós] before getting drafted, and it was clear talking to him that he had a vision I really liked,” Nighswonger said. “I would never have expected to play at left-back, but it all worked out for the best. I wouldn’t change anything. When I wrote the letter to myself, I said, nothing is going to be what you…
