Jasmine Aikey Is the NWSL's Next Superstar
The Hermann Trophy winner’s debut professional season is here, and this youngster is the one to watch.
Jasmine Aikey is one of the most exciting young players in women’s soccer at only 20 years old. Coming off of a stellar college career at Stanford, with the prestigious MAC Hermann Trophy to prove just how big of a star she is, Aikey is joining the big leagues.
The announcement of her signing for NWSL expansion side Denver Summit was met with intrigue and buzz, with the newest team in the league making a statement by bringing one of the biggest names in college soccer to the Mile High City. With her rookie season officially underway, the expectations are high for Aikey, but this two-time All-American knows how to keep her cool under pressure.
The NWSL is one of the best leagues in the world when it comes to cultivating young talent, and Aikey is already off to a great start. As the 2026 season just starts to heat up, we talked to Aikey about her decision to sign for Denver Summit, her hobbies off the pitch and what the future holds for a young superstar like her. Keep scrolling to read the full conversation.
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Your college career was incredibly successful. What made you want to take the leap to professional soccer early?
After my junior season, when I got injured, I realized how much I loved the game. And after my senior season, I was really excited and still wanted to play soccer, so I guess it’s just the natural progression of it.
What made you want to sign up to Denver Summit?
A couple of things just lined up. They were interested in me, which was a big one. I love the city. I’ve played here before, and then the project that they explained to me was all just kind of really exciting. It honestly lined up better than I could have hoped for.
Denver already has a huge and engaged fanbase. How exciting is it to join a team with such amazing supporters?
It’s really special. There was just an expansion team that came to my hometown two years ago, Bay FC. Watching that process happen, and then getting the chance to actually be on the team this time around, it’s very exciting. I know how excited people in the Bay were for a team, and I know how excited people in Denver are for a team, so I think it’s gonna be great.
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How did you get into sneaker customization?
I think it just goes along with a lot of other things I do. I like being creative, and that was just one thing I did. I liked painting on sneakers, watching YouTube videos and how-tos. Stuff like that.
Would you consider yourself a massive sneaker head?
Yes, 100%. Especially with cleats. I’m very particular about what cleats I wear. There has to be something cool about them, or I don’t want to wear them.
What cleats are you wearing right now?
Right now I’m wearing some limited-edition Ronaldo remakes. They’re kind of cool. And then I have a couple of other cool pairs I’ll hopefully bring out during the season.
Do you have any game day rituals?
I try to stay away from game day rituals. Because I feel like if I get into a routine thinking that this will help me play well, and I’m not able to do it, I don’t want that to mess with my head at all. So I would say my ritual is just to get as much rest as I can, hydrate and go out there.
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What is your biggest goal for your debut season?
Win the NWSL Shield and Championship with the team. That’s a big one.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
I honestly haven’t thought about that in a minute. Hopefully, I’m still playing professional soccer and hopefully I’ve improved on a lot of the things that I’m struggling with right now in my game. Hopefully, we’ll have had a few Championships in Denver by then, too.
What words of advice do you have for your 15-year-old self?
There’s so much advice. I would say the bad days lead to the good days. My dad’s been telling me that for years, but I really didn’t internalize it until I got to college. You have to work through the hard times to get the rewards at the end. So definitely focus on that.
