16-year-old Lily Yohannes named to the USWNT SheBelieves | USA women’s national soccer team

Lily Yohannes, 16-year-old Ajax midfielder, was named to the USWNT squad for the SheBelieves Cup.

The United States will play Japan on April 6 in Atlanta and either Canada or Brazil on April 9 in Columbus.

Yohannes is the youngest USWNT player to be called up to the senior squad since 2017, when Sophia Smith, who was also 16 at the time, was named to the squad for two friendlies against Russia.

Yohannes was born in Virginia, but moved to the Netherlands with her family in 2017. “My dad trained us in the basement of our house,” Yohannes told the Guardian in January. “He and I joined forces and went against my two brothers. I fell in love with kicking the ball as soon as I started playing at the age of about four.

Earlier this season, Yohannes became the youngest player to ever play football UEFA Women’s Champions League group stage match. However, the midfielder’s international status has been the source of much debate since she broke through at club level. Yohannes is eligible to represent the United States and the Netherlands.

“It’s something I don’t focus on too much,” Yohannes said in January. “But [I’m] Curious about what the future will bring.”

Growing up outside the traditional American talent pipeline, Yohannes had difficulty breaking into the national team at the youth level. She represented the USA in the age categories up to 15/16, but she has not been called up to the national team for two years. He does not have a Dutch passport, but can apply for one if he has lived in the country for more than six years.

FIFA rules allow players to apply for a one-time change to the team they represent if they have played fewer than three competitive matches at senior level before the age of 21. Under FIFA rules, the SheBelieves Cup does not count as a competitive match, giving Yohannes some leeway before he makes the final decision on which country he will represent.

Mal Swanson and Cat Macário were also called up to the national team. Swanson tore ligaments in her knee in a friendly match against Ireland ahead of the 2023 World Cup and missed the tournament.

Macário was also forced to miss the World Cup after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. She signed with Chelsea last summer but has struggled with injuries for much of the WSL season. In total, the 24-year-old missed 20 months due to injury.

“What impressed me most about her return was the quality of her impact on the game, regardless of how many minutes she plays,” U.S. interim coach Twila Kilgore said Tuesday. “So we’re very excited to reintegrate her into our team.”

Chelsea manager Emma Hayes was named the new head coach of the US national team in November 2023, but will only join the team after the end of the WSL season. The newest squad was created by U.S. Soccer athletic director Matt Crocker and Kilgore in consultation with Hayes.

The SheBelieves Cup will be Kilgore’s last two games before Hayes takes over.

Full USWNT squad for the 2024 SheBelieves Cup

GOALKEEPERS: Jane Campbell, Houston Dash; Casey Murphy, North Carolina Courage; Alyssa Naeher, Chicago Red Stars

DEFENDERS: Abby Dahlkemper, San Diego Wave; Crystal Dunn, Gotham FC; Tierna Davidson, Gotham FC; Emily Fox, Arsenal; Eva Gaetino, Paris Saint-Germain; Naomi Girma, The Wave in San Diego; Casey Krueger, The Ghost of Washington; Jenna Nighswonger from Gotham FC

HELPERS: Korbin Albert, Paris Saint-Germain; Sam Coffey, Portland Thorns; Lindsey Horan, Olympique Lyon; Olivia Moultrie, Portland Thorns; Emily Sonnett, Gotham FC; Lily Yohannes from Ajax

FORWARD: Catarina Macário, Chelsea; Alex Morgan, The Wave in San Diego; Trinity Rodman, The Ghost of Washington; Jaedyn Shaw, The Wave in San Diego; Sophia Smith, Portland Thorns; Mallory Swanson, Chicago Red Stars