Emma Hayes, the head coach of the United States women’s national team, praised Lily Yohannes as a world-class talent following the team’s 2-0 win over Italy on Monday night at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She commended the young player’s strengths while also highlighting that there is still room for development.
As the youngest member of the December USWNT roster, Yohannes earned her 13th international cap and started for the eighth time in the match against Italy.
“She’s achieving this at just 18 years old. I’ve realized that we shouldn’t impose limits on anyone, and we won’t do that. However, she’s still learning. While we want to nurture her existing strengths, we also need to enhance her skills to meet top-level expectations,” Hayes stated after the game.
“There is still significant potential for growth. She is eager to learn and frequently reviews game footage, which is vital for her progress.” Hayes continued, “To truly become a class player, she will need to add certain elements. Right now, she is a world-class prospect, but there’s a distinction because our ambition is to be the world’s best team.”
Yohannes wrapped up the match with one assist, setting up teammate Catarina Macario for the opening goal in the 20th minute. The OL Lyonnes player mentioned how observing midfielders known for their wide passing range has helped her hone her skills.
“I’ve always admired midfielders with a great passing range and the ability to see plays develop. I’m continuously working to innovate my game, and having such talented forwards in front of me simplifies my role,” said Yohannes.
The midfielder, who received her first USWNT call-up during the 2024 SheBelieves Cup, emphasized the importance of fostering relationships on and off the field to create scoring opportunities.
“Cat [Macario] is an exceptional player; I believe that if she’s in front of the goal, there’s an excellent chance she’ll score. We are building a partnership that I really value. Having a great friendship off the pitch enhances our dynamic on it, and assisting her means the world to me,” Yohannes added.
Looking ahead, the USWNT will start preparing for their January training camp, scheduled for January 17-24, during which they will face Paraguay and another opponent yet to be announced.