Young Soccer Phenom Lily Yohannes Shines in International Debut

Lily Yohannes, a rising star in women’s soccer, made headlines on Tuesday as she marked her international debut for the United States with a remarkable performance.

The 16-year-old midfielder impressed fans worldwide as she scored a goal in her first appearance for the national team during a friendly match against South Korea.

Yohannes, hailing from Virginia, is the youngest athlete to grace the United States women’s national soccer team in more than two decades. Her quick goal against South Korea also earned her the title of the third-youngest scorer in the team’s history.

Having honed her skills with Dutch women’s soccer club Ajax since the age of 15, Yohannes has already achieved milestones in her career. In November, she became the youngest player to start a UEFA Women's Champions League group stage match, solidifying her reputation as a promising talent.

Yohannes’ journey to success is rooted in her Eritrean-American heritage. The Yohannes family relocated to the Netherlands when Lily was just 10 years old, driven by her passion for soccer and determination to pursue a professional career in the sport.

Following her standout performance in the friendly match, Yohannes expressed her elation, stating, ‘It’s a dream come true, really.’

The young athlete’s future in international soccer remains a topic of interest. Yohannes is currently in the process of obtaining Dutch citizenship, which would render her eligible to represent the Dutch national team. Given her appearance in a friendly match for the U.S. team, Yohannes has the option to switch allegiances if she chooses.

Yohannes’ goal came under the guidance of new U.S. women’s soccer head coach, Emma Hayes. Hayes, formerly a coach at Chelsea in England, took the reins of the national team in November, ushering in a new era for women’s soccer in the United States.

Hayes replaces Vlatko Andonovski, who stepped down following the team’s underwhelming performances in recent international competitions, including an early exit from the World Cup and a disappointment at the Tokyo Olympics. The U.S. women’s national team, renowned for its legacy of success with four World Cup titles and four Olympic gold medals, looks to rejuvenate under Hayes’ leadership.