United States Under-20 Women’s National Team Head Coach Vicky Jepson officially released the 21-player roster for the upcoming FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup taking place in Poland at the start of September.
“We have selected a special group of players who bring a broad and diverse range of qualities from both the college and professional game,” said Jepson in a statement. “One thing we all have in common is the understanding that it takes everyone to win a World Cup.”
The entire roster has some experience
at the U-20 level and many have competed in previous youth World Cups with the USYNT. Among the 21 players eight are currently professionals in the NWSL and 13 currently play in the NCAA.
U.S. Senior Women’s National Team coach Emma Hayes made headlines weeks ago highlighting the importance of the U-20 Women’s World Cup for the development of U.S. players and the future impact it has on the players and senior national team. Hayes explained that the young players can get accustomed to playing high-intensity tournament matches with stakes, and can form lasting connections and chemistry with other players as they move forward in their international careers.
There are some players who are eligible for the U-20 team, and have made caps with the senior national team, but were left off the roster including players like Jordyn Bugg, Claire Hutton and Lily Yohannes. It’s unclear whether the players were selected at all or not released by their respective clubs.
“This group wears the crest with honor, and we’re excited to see what they can accomplish together,” said Jepson. “They all have tremendous pride in earning this opportunity to represent their country on the world’s biggest stage for their age group. We really want to thank the NWSL clubs and the colleges for their collaboration in releasing their players for this tournament as it will be a once-in-a-lifetime chance for many of them and we know it will be an invaluable growth experience for these young women on their soccer journeys.”
Here is the full list 21-player list that will be making the trip to Poland. Each player is distinguished with their professional club, University and hometown as well as the amount of caps and goals they have with the U-20 side.
Goalkeepers (3): Caroline Birkel (Stanford; St. Louis, Mo.; 6), Evan O’Steen (Seattle Reign FC; Grapevine, Texas; 2), Kealey Titmuss (Penn State; Grand Blanc, Mich.; 5)
Defenders (7): Aven Alvarez (UNC; New Hill, N.C.; 12/0), Ella Bard (Louisville; Wadsworth, Ohio; 6/0), Lizzie Boamah (Stanford; San Diego, Calif.; 6/0), Pearl Cecil (Virginia; Encinitas, Calif.; 2/0), Emma Johnson (Penn State; Greenfield, Ind.; 9/1), Hope Munson (UNC; Holladay, Utah; 6/0), Katie Scott (Kansas City Current; Fairview, Pa.; 11/1)
Midfielders (6): Kennedy Fuller (Bay FC; Southlake, Texas; 8/2), Lily Joseph (Notre Dame; Hamden, Conn; 2/0), Ainsley McCammon (Seattle Reign FC; Bedford, Texas; 6/0), Y-Lan Nguyen (Stanford; Fairfax, Va.; 5/0), Nyanya Touray (Florida State; Silver Spring, Md.; 4/0), Linda Ullmark (Houston Dash; Buffalo, N.Y.; 7/6)
Forwards (5): Emeri Adames (Seattle Reign FC; Red Oak, Texas; 4/1), Alex Buck (Washington; Medina, Wash.; 6/1), Micayla Johnson (Chicago Stars FC; Troy, Mich; 4/2), Audrey McKeen (Racing Louisville FC; Vienna, Va.; 2/0), Sealey Strawn (UNC; Prosper, Texas; 2/0)
The matches for the U.S. will be broadcasted in English on Fox networks and the tournament will begin on September 5, and run through September 26 should the country reach the final or third-place match. The United States finished the 2024 U-20 World Cup in third place, their highest finish since winning the tournament in 2012.
