Ajax midfielder Lily Yohannes made history as the third-youngest goalscorer for the U.S. Women’s National Team, scoring in the 82nd minute in a friendly against South Korea on Tuesday night.
Yohannes, at just 16 years old, became the youngest player to make an appearance for the national team since 2001, and the eighth to debut before turning 17. Her goal follows only Kristine Lilly and Tiffany Roberts as the youngest USWNT goalscorers.
“It’s a dream come true, really,” Yohannes said after the USWNT’s 3-0 victory. “The support from my teammates running up to me made it that much more special.”
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How did Yohannes score?
Yohannes was given freedom to play around the field, finding comfort in assisting the wingers and navigating around experienced players like Ji So-yun. She calmly placed her shot to score the goal under goalkeeper Kim Jung-mi.
Yohannes, at just 16 years and 358 days old, has made her mark in the record books.
A DREAM DEBUT FOR LILY!!!!#USWNT x @VW pic.twitter.com/RWlOYpLSjj
— U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team (@USWNT) June 5, 2024
“Lily is a baller. From the day she came into camp, she was just making passes that you don’t see a 16-year-old make,” forward Sophia Smith said. “You don’t even see veteran players make these passes. She’s confident, she’s composed. We knew she was going to get into this game hopefully, and she came in and didn’t miss a beat.
“She looked like a natural out there, and then to get a goal on top of that is amazing and so well deserved.” — Steph Yang
Who is Lily Yohannes?
Yohannes, born in Springfield, Va., started playing soccer at a young age in a community of Ethiopian and Eritrean expats. She later joined the Ajax women’s academy in the Netherlands, becoming a starter and helping the team reach the UEFA Women’s Champions League quarterfinals this season.
“She’s like the most mature 16-year old I’ve ever met,” USWNT midfielder Rose Lavelle said. “She’s been so impressive. I told her, ‘I will always remember my 100th cap because it was Lily’s first cap and her first goal.’
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(Photo: Brad Smith / ISI Photos / USSF / Getty Images)