Racing Louisville FC has agreed to terms with its top overall pick in the 2022 NWSL Draft, securing midfielder Jaelin Howell to a three-year contract, it was announced Friday.
Howell has added to her growing resume in recent weeks on top of going No. 2 overall in the draft. In December, she captained Florida State to a second national title in her four years there. And earlier this month, Howell received her second MAC Hermann Trophy for Division I player of the year.
A native of Lone Tree, Colo., Howell is in training camp with the U.S. Women’s National Team leading up to Racing’s preseason that opens Feb. 1.
“I’m extremely grateful for Racing Louisville drafting me and giving me the opportunity to play for a club with such a promising future,” Howell said. “I’m excited to help the team compete for championships while learning from some of the best players in the world in this league. I hope to make a positive impact on and off the field for our club, and I’m looking forward to getting started.”
Howell, who made 90 career Florida State appearances, scored 14 goals and tallied just as many assists there, with her honors including back-to-back ACC Midfielder of the Year awards from 2020-2021.
Along the way, Howell gained international attention, too. The youth national team staple has twice been capped by the USWNT, most recently in the 2021 SheBelieves Cup final when she subbed on to play 29 minutes in a win over Argentina.
Howell finished her collegiate career by becoming only the sixth women’s player to win the Hermann Trophy in consecutive years, joining Mia Hamm (1992-1993), Cindy Parlow (1997-1998), Christine Sinclair (2004-2005), Morgan Brian (2013-2014) and Catarina Macario (2018-2019).
“Jaelin is one of the most exciting young talents in the game today,” said Racing’s interim president, James O’Connor. “We’re delighted to bring her on board. She fills a position of need and has an ability to control the game with such a broad range of passing.”
Howell is the first member of Racing’s six-player 2022 draft class to sign a contract. Others selected by the club will similarly vie for roster spots in preseason camp.
