Canada's Kailen Sheridan gets out of her comfort zone

It was an off-season move that sent shockwaves throughout the NWSL.

Selected 23rd overall by Sky Blue FC (now known as NJ/NY Gotham FC) at the 2017 NWSL College Draft, Canadian goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan hit the ground running as a professional after playing NCAA soccer at Clemson University.

Sheridan became a starter almost immediately, and would go on to become a finalist for the NWSL goalkeeper of the year, as well as being named to the league's Best XI in 2020. She was on top of the world at Gotham, but when her contract expired at the end of last season, she was traded to the expansion San Diego Wave, rather than re-sign with the club where she had thrived since entering the league.

Thus far, the move has worked out well for Sheridan, a 26-year-old native of Pickering, Ont. San Diego currently sits top of the NWSL table through the first 11 games of the season, while Sheridan has registered four clean sheets in 10 starts.

In a one-on-one interview with TFC Republic, Sheridan talks about why she left Gotham, how she's adapted to life in San Diego and playing for an expansion club, and much more.

This interview has lightly been edited and trimmed for brevity and clarity.