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Jeff Kassouf
Multiple Authors
The United States aims to secure its first under-20 Women’s World Cup title since 2012 next month despite missing several key age-eligible players. Manager Vicky Jepson described their absence as “unsettling” but expressed confidence in the players selected for the squad.
On Wednesday, Jepson unveiled her 21-player roster for the tournament in Poland, which includes eight professional athletes. Among those not selected are notable midfielders Claire Hutton, Lily Yohannes, and Kimmi Ascanio, along with defender Jordyn Bugg.
Hutton, Ascanio, and Bugg play in the NWSL, currently in its regular season, while Yohannes competes for French club OL Lyonnes.
The U20 Women’s World Cup, like all youth tournaments, does not take place during official FIFA windows that require clubs to release players.
“Of course, we would have loved to have Lily, Claire, and Jordyn on board,” Jepson stated to reporters. “However, our priority now is to focus on those who are available because I believe our squad has enough talent.”
When asked about any potential friction between the federation and NWSL clubs regarding player releases, Jepson maintained a positive tone but recognized the complexities of having players left out due to club commitments.
“Many clubs have been supportive in terms of releasing players, which strengthens our relationship,” Jepson remarked regarding NWSL clubs. “We want to ensure that players aren’t caught in difficult situations. It’s unfortunate when a player wants to represent their country but isn’t released—that aspect is beyond our control.”
“There’s definitely a good rapport across the NWSL clubs,” she continued. “But we cannot compel a club to release players; we have to honor those decisions.”
Jepson expressed her disappointment in the athletes affected, adding, “I have worked with these players for ten months, preparing them for a World Cup, and it’s disheartening they won’t be able to participate. But we must concentrate on those who are available—those players are eager and ready to compete.”
Bay FC midfielder Kennedy Fuller stands out among the eight NWSL players called up and has previously served as a captain for the U20 team.
Although Hutton plays for Bay FC, she was not included in Jepson’s roster despite being eligible.
Within the 21-player squad, eight are professionals in the NWSL, while the remaining 13 come from the U.S. college sector. Senior USWNT head coach Emma Hayes previously stated that the U20 World Cup is crucial for player development, as it prepares athletes for senior competitions, and voiced her concerns about the U.S. falling behind at the youth level.
“I’m sending a warning sign about my worries regarding the future and the lack of international experience for American players,” Hayes said in her remarks to ESPN.
The U.S. will kick off the U20 World Cup against Italy on September 9, followed by matches against Japan and New Zealand on September 9 and 12, respectively. The last time the U.S. clinched the U20 World Cup title was in 2012.
Notably, no players from the San Diego Wave are on the U20 roster. The absence of Ascanio, a talented midfielder often compared to U.S. legend Tobin Heath, and forward Melanie Barcenas, who has had a breakout season with four goals, is also notable.
Jepson encouraged excluded players to focus on excelling in their respective clubs, saying, “Even if they aren’t joining us, they need to continue to shine in the NWSL, as many of these players have the potential to reach the senior national team.”
Yohannes’ club, OL Lyonnes, is starting its new season. The 19-year-old has yet to compete in a youth World Cup, having previously played for both the U.S. and Dutch youth national teams before opting for the U.S. Yohannes has achieved 20 senior international caps so far.
Hutton, who also has 20 senior caps, is expected to play a significant role for the U.S. in next year’s World Cup in Brazil.
Throughout her tenure, Hayes has emphasized that young talent may need to alternate between national teams for optimal development, citing Bugg as an example, as she has already earned six senior caps.
Seattle Reign FC coach Laura Harvey echoed this sentiment about the importance of youth tournaments, while also noting that not all players need several experiences at this level.
Harvey shared Bugg’s experience at the 2024 U20 World Cup, where the U.S. achieved a respectable third place—its best result since 2012.
“It’s challenging since the tournament doesn’t fit FIFA dates, risking the loss of key players during an important season,” Harvey remarked, highlighting that each player’s situation is unique. Seattle did manage to release forward Emeri Adames, midfielder Ainsley McCammon, and goalkeeper Evan O’Steen for the upcoming competition.
Hayes has also pointed to Spain’s rapid success in women’s soccer as linked to their emphasis on youth international experience. Spain excelled in youth competitions leading up to their first senior World Cup win in 2023.
“The exposure that a Spanish player gains through high-quality international football far surpasses that of players in our country,” Hayes stated.
Hayes will be present in Poland for the tournament to scout emerging talent.
Despite ongoing uncertainty regarding the U20 World Cup, mainly due to UEFA’s boycott of FIFA events, the Polish federation confirmed that the tournament will proceed, with several European teams expressing their intent to participate.
2026 FIFA U.S. Under-20 Women’s World Cup Roster by Position (College or Club; Hometown; U-20 Caps/Goals)
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)
ESPN’s Jeff Carlisle contributed to this report.