At 17, midfielder Lily Yohannes, the U.S. women`s national team`s youngest member, revisited the site of her USWNT debut and first international goal, almost exactly a year later.
Starting the friendly against China at Minnesota`s Allianz Field, Yohannes was part of the team that secured a 3-0 victory, featuring goals from Catarina Macario, Sam Coffey, and Lindsey Heaps. She frequently served as a vital link in moving the ball forward and was key to maintaining possession.
In the win, she ranked second on the team with seven recoveries. Both Coffey and Yohannes effectively controlled the midfield pace, neutralizing China`s aggressive pressing attempts. This performance marks further progress for the young defensive midfielder.
As head coach Emma Hayes celebrates her first year, Yohannes` ascent under her leadership appears perfectly timed or perhaps fortunate, but undoubtedly, the teenage talent is only beginning her journey.
`I thought Sam [Coffey] was outstanding. Lily [Yohannes] really found her rhythm in the game. Their function as what we term `low support players` when the ball moved wide was executed effectively. They linked up very well with the wide players, and their rotations into deeper areas to receive the ball were excellent. Overall, I believe the team`s chemistry and cohesion have significantly improved during this training camp,` Hayes commented to the media after the game.
She has quickly become recognized as one of the most promising young talents in women`s football. Yohannes has demonstrated remarkable playmaking skill and maturity for her age, excelling for both the USWNT and her Dutch club, Ajax. As a technically proficient midfielder, she has consistently been included in USWNT rosters throughout 2025, signaling her importance in preparations for the 2027-28 international calendar.
Speaking to the press before the match, Hayes reiterated, `I constantly remind everyone she`s only 17. She`s still accumulating professional experience. Her development over the next two years will be critical. Being at Ajax has provided an incredible path for her growth. In my opinion, this experience has significantly advanced her positional understanding, making her stand out as exceptionally mature for her age.`
Although not yet a regular in the starting lineup, Yohannes has garnered attention in Europe for her exceptional vision, composure, and tactical awareness. At 16, she became the youngest player ever to start a UEFA Women`s Champions League group stage fixture. She is also the eighth-youngest player to debut for the USWNT and the third-youngest to score for the senior national team.
Last year, much discussion revolved around Yohannes` eligibility to represent either the United States or the Netherlands. Born in Virginia, Lily relocated to Europe with her family in 2017. It was in Europe that she progressed through the Ajax academies before signing a full professional contract with the first team in 2023.
Her initial call-up to the USWNT came in June 2024, coinciding with Emma Hayes` first official games as head coach. That November, the teenage midfielder publicly committed her international future to the United States national team.
In a social media statement last year, Yohannes expressed her gratitude: `I want to offer my sincere thanks to both the United States and Dutch Football Federations for their consistent support and patient guidance as I navigated my decision about my international future. Their commitment and encouragement have been incredibly helpful, and I am truly grateful to both.` She added, `Following careful consideration, I have chosen to represent my country, the United States. The U.S. is my home, where I was born, and where my relatives live. These strong ties motivated me to honor my background and proudly commit to U.S. Soccer. I am enthusiastic and ready to keep working hard to earn my spot on the U.S. Women`s National Team.`
Since the beginning of 2025, Yohannes has been included in every senior USWNT squad, participating in January camps, the SheBelieves Cup, and now the initial summer friendlies. She currently has six national team appearances and one goal from her debut. However, Hayes is careful not to rush Yohannes` progress. The coach is focused on ensuring the young player continues her development at the international level, even as her profile grows.
Hayes remarked, `She`s shown physical and tactical growth over the past year, particularly in possession. With her club team, Ajax, they typically face opponents who defend in mid to low blocks, which has helped her develop that aspect of her game. For us, playing against high-caliber teams like Brazil and Japan provided invaluable experience that will benefit her in the long run. But, as I consistently mention, she still has significant development ahead. There will be variations in performance; you`ll see brilliant moments and less consistent ones. That`s to be expected from a 17-year-old.`
`She possesses incredible maturity and coachability, qualities that assure me she will be a crucial part of our program. However, I am committed to nurturing that development, and we must exercise patience given her young age and limited experience at the senior international level.`
As Yohannes gains diverse experience in the UWCL and with the USWNT, she is actively learning from her surroundings. She acknowledges the positive influence of all her USWNT teammates, highlighting captain Lindsey Heaps and forward Catarina Macario as specific examples.
Yohannes stated, `Everyone has been incredibly supportive and has made my transition into the team significantly smoother. From Lindsey [Heaps] to Cat [Macario], I could honestly name so many players. All the seasoned players, who have been here for a long time, understand what it`s like to be new. Now that I`ve attended a few camps, I feel my comfort level has increased, and I`m focused on continuing my growth.`
Her exceptional maturity is a defining characteristic. Despite being so young, she plays with the composure of an experienced professional, seldom pressured on the ball, and consistently making intelligent choices. This quality has built trust in her at both club and international levels. Yohannes` playing style is marked by her impressive passing accuracy and knack for controlling the game`s rhythm. Adaptable in both deeper and more advanced midfield positions, she is adept at splitting defenses with incisive passes and keeping possession under challenge.
In Ajax`s 2023-24 UEFA Women`s Champions League run, she showed fearlessness when facing elite European teams. She demonstrated a talent for identifying space and connecting defensive play with attacking movements. Her assist in Ajax`s win against Roma, resulting from her initiating a turnover and contributing to a scoring opportunity, exemplified her skill in breaking down defenses with a precise pass.
Heaps commented, `Performing at the club level with Ajax and in the Champions League is one thing, but stepping into the international arena is a different challenge and a higher level. I think she has adapted seamlessly. As you`ve all witnessed, she has the potential to be truly special. She`s a slightly different type of player than we might be accustomed to, showcasing many unique qualities. I`m incredibly proud of her progress. But, naturally, she`s still only 17, so there`s a lot more development ahead.`
Team vice-captain Naomi Girma rejoined the national squad for the first time this year. She is familiar with rapid career progression herself; shortly after being drafted by San Diego in the 2022 NWSL Draft, her impressive displays as a centerback quickly earned her Rookie of the Year and Defender of the Year accolades, and her consistent form secured her a place on the 2023 USWNT World Cup roster.
While the situations aren`t identical, they share a common theme of rapid ascent. With the next World Cup still two years off, Yohannes` influence on the team could certainly expand significantly. It`s entirely plausible she could secure a spot on that roster as a 20-year-old if her development continues its current trajectory.
Girma remarked, `She has progressed immensely over the last year. When she initially joined as a young player, she already seemed like a veteran with us. You could immediately see her calmness and self-assurance on the ball. I believe that trait is incredibly valuable for a midfielder.`
`She`s very composed and balanced. Despite her rising profile, she remains true to herself. It`s truly wonderful to witness a player like her succeed and firmly establish herself within the team.`
Benedict Kingsley 
Adrian Whitmore