Mana Shim makes emotional return to the NWSL after coming forward with sexual harassment claims

Five years after she last graced the pitch – and more than two years since her accusations of misconduct resulted in systemic changes across the sport she loves – Mana Shim played soccer once again.

Shim, who last played a game in the NWSL with the Houston Dash in 2018, was substituted on for Gotham FC in the 62′ for Ali Krieger to applause from the fans at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey.

The match against Angel City FC – one of the more anticipated games on the calendar – ended in a 0-0 draw, but after the match Shim still tweeted out her appreciation.

‘That was so fun!!! Thank you @GothamFC for believing in me. I love this team and can’t wait for what’s to come! And I have to say – I’m proud to call @NWSL home now,’ Shim wrote on Twitter.

She was signed on a short-term injury replacement contract back on June 25 to Gotham – all while still retaining her spot as the Chair of the Participant Safety Taskforce.

For the first time in five years, Mana Shim made an appearance in the NWSL with Gotham FC

Shim was substituted on in the 62′ of what ended up being a 0-0 draw with Angel City FC

Shim (6) has not played in the NWSL since 2018 – when she was on the Houston Dash

Shim and her current Gotham teammate, Sinead Farrelly, came forward to The Athletic in September of 2021 with allegations of misconduct and sexual coercion against Paul Riley, who coached both of them in Portland.

That revelation sparked multiple investigations which uncovered ‘widespread’ misconduct and found that the league ‘systemically failed to protect players’.

The sum of the investigations uncovered emotional abuse, sexual abuse, sexual misconduct, and manipulation that impacted multiple teams, coaches, and players.

As a result, multiple coaches – including Riley – as well as administrators were given suspensions ranging from two years to a lifetime ban. Clubs were also given multiple fines. 

The NWSL was forced through these revelations to undergo serious changes in order to address these issues.

‘The league will continue to prioritize implementing and enhancing the policies, programs and systems that put the health and safety of our players first,’ league commissioner Jessica Berman said.

‘Those actions are fundamental to the future of our league, especially as we build a league that strengthens our players’ ability to succeed and prosper on and off the pitch.

‘As part of our commitment to accountability and deterrence, the league has determined that further corrective action with respect to certain organizations and individuals identified in the Joint Investigative Report is appropriate and necessary.’

Both Shim (R) and her current Gotham teammate Sinead Farrelly (L) went public with allegations of misconduct and abuse in 2021 which led to multiple investigations of the NWSL

Farrelly and Shim accused ex-coach Paul Riley of harassment and sexual coercion in September of 2021. He was one of many coaches banned for life from coaching in the NWSL. 

Shim was appointed Chair of US Soccer’s Participant Safety Taskforce in October of 2021

Berman later added, ‘The league and its clubs have taken meaningful steps to begin this structural reform, and understand and accept the continual commitment to enhancing league standards that are necessary to build a safe and positive environment for our players, staff, fans and partners.

‘Our league and clubs are committed to making these changes and will do so with continued input from the NWSL Players Association to make the NWSL a league that sets the standard for the future of sports.’

Shim, who ended up going to law school in her native Hawaii, joined US Soccer as the Chair of the Participant Safety Taskforce in October of 2022.

‘[Former United States Attorney General] Sally Yates’ report made it clear that, for far too long, leaders across the soccer ecosystem – including at US Soccer – have not taken responsibility for protecting players,’ Shim said in her announcement. ‘But I believe in the capacity for change.

‘As leader of the Taskforce, I am committed to ensuring not only that Yates’s recommendations are implemented, but that we push beyond them. We need to find the root causes of our sport’s systemic failures and take action at every level – from the youth game to the professional game.

‘I’m confident that, in [US Soccer president Cindy Parlow Cone and US Soccer CEO JT Batson], US Soccer has the leadership that will be essential to supporting my work, and we’ve already begun the process of identifying stakeholders form every level of soccer to be part of the Taskforce.’