Ajax midfielder Lily Yohannes, at simply 16 years outdated, made historical past by changing into the third-youngest goalscorer for the U.S. Girls’s Nationwide Group throughout a pleasant match in opposition to South Korea. She scored within the 82nd minute and in addition grew to become the youngest participant to make an look for the nationwide workforce since 2001. Yohannes joins the likes of Kristine Lilly and Tiffany Roberts as one of many youngest goalscorers for the USWNT, making her mark within the file books together with her spectacular efficiency.
Yohannes shared her pleasure and gratitude after the match, describing the expertise as a dream come true. She had imagined scoring a aim numerous occasions earlier than, and the overwhelming help from her teammates made the second much more particular for her. Regardless of her younger age, Yohannes confirmed composure and confidence on the sector, showcasing her expertise and potential as a promising younger participant for the nationwide workforce.
Through the match, Yohannes demonstrated her versatility and talent, drifting off of her teammates and creating alternatives for the wingers. She dealt with difficult duties, equivalent to navigating round skilled opponents like Ji So-yun, displaying her teammates and coaches that she was up for the problem. Her aim, a calmly-placed shot that rolled beneath the goalkeeper, solidified her place as a proficient goalscorer for the USWNT.
Yohannes’ journey to the nationwide workforce has been marked by onerous work and dedication. Born in Springfield, Va., she began enjoying soccer at a younger age alongside her brothers and father inside a close-knit neighborhood of Ethiopian and Eritrean expats. After transferring to the Netherlands, Yohannes joined the Ajax ladies’s academy and rapidly established herself as a key participant for the workforce. With a powerful file of 5 targets and 4 assists in 20 matches, she helped Ajax attain the quarterfinals of the UEFA Girls’s Champions League.
Teammates and coaches have praised Yohannes for her maturity and expertise, with many highlighting her distinctive passing skills and composure on the sector. Ahead Sophia Smith recommended Yohannes for seamlessly integrating into the workforce throughout her debut, whereas midfielder Rose Lavelle expressed her admiration for the younger participant’s spectacular efficiency. Along with her debut aim for the USWNT, Yohannes has confirmed herself as a invaluable asset to the workforce and a rising star in ladies’s soccer.
Yohannes’ historic achievement serves as a reminder of the expertise and potential inside the USWNT roster. Because the workforce continues to evolve and refresh its lineup post-World Cup, younger gamers like Yohannes are given the chance to showcase their expertise and contribute to the workforce’s success. Along with her promising begin on the nationwide stage, Yohannes is poised to make a major impression in ladies’s soccer and encourage future generations of gamers to pursue their desires on the sector.