Category: Under-xx Teams

Everything related to the USWNT youth teams (U-23, U-20, U-17, etc.)

The 2020 U-17 USWNT Cycle: Notes On Individual Players (September 2019)

As noted in the previous article on this current U-17 cycle, a core group of seventeen players have been regular call-ups this cycle and during the 2018 U-15 cycle:

Goalkeepers: Nadia Cooper, Neeku Purcell
Defenders: Baleigh Bruster, Andrea Kitahata,  Aidan McConnell, Ayo Oke, and Lilly Reale.
Midfielders: Emma Egizii, Tatiana Fung, Devin Lynch, Alexis Missimo, and Jillian Shimkin
Forwards: Trinity Byars, Simone Jackson, Ariana Manrique,  Allyson Sentnor, and Amelia White

Several from this core group are “players to watch.”  Allyson Sentnor, Alexis Missimo, and Trinity Byars have all garnered significant praise and attention for their on-field prowess.  Forward Amelia White is another standout goalscoring threat who offers speed and composure plus solid fundamentals.  Midfielders Tatiana Fung and Jillian Shimkin both have excellent technical dribbling skills.

These core players are part of a larger pool (identified in the above linked article) of 25 players who have attended at least two U-17 camps so far in 2019.  Among those players are midfielder Devin Lynch and defender Shea O’Malley, who are more recent regular call-ups.  This post is a collection of brief notes on those players, plus a few notable others who may be in the mix. Continue reading “The 2020 U-17 USWNT Cycle: Notes On Individual Players (September 2019)”

The 2020 U-17 USWNT Cycle: A First In-Depth Look (September 2019)

After another disappointing FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup performance in 2018, which saw the United States fail to make the knock-out stage (again), while fellow CONCACAF rivals Mexico and Canada both made the semifinals, the quest to claim the only FIFA women’s trophy not yet won by the USA was renewed this spring.

For this cycle, Tracey Kevins takes over the U-17 United States Women’s National Team head coaching reigns from fellow England-native Mark Carr, who is now the head coach for the U-20 USWNT.  Previously, Kevins was the head coach for the U-15 Girls’ National Team last cycle (2017-18), so she is already very familiar with the 2003 birth year pool.

Read on for details about the players called in so far, friendly matches played so far, and what lays ahead for the U-17 USWNT.

Continue reading “The 2020 U-17 USWNT Cycle: A First In-Depth Look (September 2019)”

U-23 USWNT: 2019 Nordic Cup Summary

Updated 30-Sep-2019:  U.S. Soccer has quietly published back-dated match reports for the U-23 USWNT’s Nordic Cup matches.

Between August 28th and September 2nd, the United States Under-23 Women’s National Team participated in the 2019 edition of the Nordic Cup, which was hosted by England. The roster of players featured mostly professional players, with UNC junior Emily Fox the only collegiate player.  Youth team standout Sophia Smith (Stanford) was in the original roster, but had to be replaced due to a “minor quad injury” (Twitter).  Also, NWSL-standout Kristen Hamilton was on the original roster, but was called up to the senior USWNT for its Victory Tour friendlies against Portugal.

Under coach B.J. Snow, who took over from Mark Carr earlier this year, the U-23 USWNT won its first two matches against Norway and England, then drew with Sweden.  Jordan DiBiasi scored the game-winner against Norway and had a penalty kick equalizer against Sweden, while Imani Dorsey scored the game-winner against England.  Goalkeeper Casey Murphy played all 270 minutes in the three games, only allowing one goal, which came in the final match, against Sweden.

Continue reading “U-23 USWNT: 2019 Nordic Cup Summary”

Youth USWNTs: Goalkeeper Identification Camp To Be Held Next Weekend

From December 7th to the 10th, U.S. Soccer will hold, apparently for the first time, an identification camp solely for goalkeepers as the federation begins the 2014 cycles for the Under-20 and Under-17 Women’s National Teams (USSoccer.com). Sixteen goalkeepers — ten for the U-20 WNT and six for the U-17 WNT — were called up and will be evaluated by USWNT Technical Director April Heinrichs plus a staff of four goalkeeper coaches: former USWNT goalkeeper coach Phil Wheddon, USWNT alumna goalkeeper Siri Mullinix (2000 Olympics), former U.S. U-20 MNT and MLS goalkeeper Clint Baumstark, and former WPS goalkeeper coach Nathan Kipp. This ID camp will be held at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, California.

The U.S. Soccer press release only includes a list of the sixteen goalkeepers in alphabetical order, without even a breakdown by age group. This post includes such a breakdown, along with birthdates and heights where available, plus the usual club/college information and hometown. Additionally, college commitment details are included for the 2013 high school graduates. Continue reading “Youth USWNTs: Goalkeeper Identification Camp To Be Held Next Weekend”

U-17 WWC: Match Days 3 and 4: USA and Canada Win, Mexico Falls – Plus Advancement Scenarios

Just the score lines, along with summaries of the advancement scenarios for each group going into the final days of group play… Continue reading “U-17 WWC: Match Days 3 and 4: USA and Canada Win, Mexico Falls – Plus Advancement Scenarios”

The Under-17 Women’s World Cup Kicks-Off on Saturday: Match Day 1 Preview

The 2012 Under-17 Women’s World Cup, hosted by Azerbaijan, kicks-off on Saturday, September 22nd. Among the teams playing on Saturday are the United States in Group B (5:48 a.m. EDT, ESPN3.com) and Canada in Group A (7:48 a.m. EDT, ESPN3.com). Both teams face stiff opponents in their opening matches. For the United States, their opposition is France, who narrowly lost to Germany on penalties in the final of the UEFA Championship. Meanwhile, Canada will play Nigeria, the top team from Africa. The third team from CONCACAF, Mexico, begins group play on Sunday against New Zealand. Continue reading “The Under-17 Women’s World Cup Kicks-Off on Saturday: Match Day 1 Preview”

The Under-17 Women’s World Cup Begins September 22nd: All Matches Will Be Streamed Via ESPN3

The 2012 Under-17 Women’s World Cup kicks off on Saturday, September 22nd. Every match of the group stage, along with all of the knock-out matches will be streamed online via ESPN3 on WatchESPN. The United States is in Group B and will face France, Gambia, and North Korea. Also participating are Canada, who are in Group A, and Mexico, who are in Group C. Continue reading “The Under-17 Women’s World Cup Begins September 22nd: All Matches Will Be Streamed Via ESPN3”

U-20 USWNT: The USA’s Goal-Scoring Play Versus Germany

The winning goal scored off the foot of Kealia Ohai in the final of this year’s Under-20 Women’s World Cup was scored via a sequence that involved at least eight United States players and at least eight passes. A ninth player, Katie Stengel was indirectly involved as she was the intended target of the final pass by Crystal Dunn, but unintentionally dummied the ball, allowing it to roll to Ohai. And, it is possible that a tenth USA player, goalkeeper Bryane Heaberlin, actually restarted the play, but the available video evidence does not show the apparent opening pass of the play.

This post breaks down that goal-scoring play and examines the potential errors made by Germany’s defense which allowed the goal to be scored. Continue reading “U-20 USWNT: The USA’s Goal-Scoring Play Versus Germany”