Yohannes, 16, scores minutes into USWNT debut

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Sixteen-one year-old Lily Yohannes scored 10 minutes into her international debut on Tuesday at Allianz Enviornment within the United States females’s national group’s 3-0 victory over South Korea to change into the third-youngest scorer in program history.

“It’s miles a dream arrive neutral, indubitably,” mentioned Yohannes, who came in as a replace within the 72nd minute. “I played this scenario out in my head fancy how over and over forward of this game? Honest correct having the root of coming on and scoring.”

Yohannes is the eighth-youngest player to debut for the USWNT and the youngest to take the self-discipline for the group since March 2021.

“She doesn’t discover fancy a 16-one year-old,” coach Emma Hayes mentioned after the match. “She is conscious of what I imagine her. I’ve indubitably pushed and wanted her in this squad.”

Yohannes scored within the 82nd minute, after forward Trinity Rodman collected a brief corner kick and dribbled previous her defender to stagger a ball to Yohannes for the enact from 10 yards out. The kid ran to the corner to possess an even time and was snappy surrounded by exuberant teammates.

“That was so special,” Yohannes mentioned. “I think that made it factual that design more special. I factual took off to the corner, and I saw all of them running at me. Honest correct mountainous, mountainous special and so grateful. Such a expansive group.”

After the closing whistle, several U.S. gamers sprinted straight to Yohannes for community hugs.

Hayes mentioned she told Yohannes initially of practicing camp final week that she would employ her within the midfield for her debut at some level within the 2 fits towards South Korea for the length of this international window.

The novel coach is deeply conversant in Yohannes, having played towards her in final season’s UEFA Champions League community stage when Hayes was aloof managing Chelsea.

Yohannes was born in Virginia, but her family moved to the Netherlands when she was 10. She signed with Dutch club Ajax as a 15-one year-old and final drop grew to change into the youngest player to begin a UEFA Females’s Champions League community stage match.

Netherlands coach Andries Jonker has publicly courted the midfielder and mentioned that Yohannes was pursuing a Dutch passport, but Yohannes had mentioned a few times forward of this practicing camp that she was now not attempting too far into the future.

She was first known as up by the USWNT in April, forward of Hayes formally arrived on the sideline.

A DREAM DEBUT FOR LILY!!!!#USWNT x @VW pic.twitter.com/RWlOYpLSjj

— U.S. Females’s Nationwide Soccer Team (@USWNT) June 5, 2024

Crystal Dunnwho scored the opening aim towards South Korea and played forward for the People for the significant time in practically seven years, lauded the “even-keeled” Yohannes for scoring the “smoothest first aim I’ve ever seen.”

U.S. midfielder Rose Lavellewho seemed in her a centesimal international match on Tuesday, mentioned Yohannes has a high ceiling.

“Oh my God, she’s fancy basically the most aged 16-one year-old I’ve ever met,” Lavelle mentioned. “I own fancy she’s more old than me, honestly.”

Hayes mentioned Tuesday that Yohannes can opt up out of stress without problems with successfully-weighted passes in midfield.

“She is a pure footballer that’s confident in her abilities,” Hayes mentioned. “I think playing in Europe has helped, has accelerated [her].

“She’s had exposures that many American 16-one year-olds possess now not had, and it reveals. There was a maturity to it even at a soft age. She manages it. It’s her 2nd camp, and there is already been a step up from the significant to the 2nd. I’d love to possess an even time her first cap. It’s miles a truly special 2nd for her and her family.”