United States women's national under-23 soccer team
| Nickname(s) | Team USA The Stars and Stripes The Yanks | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Association | United States Soccer Federation | ||
| Confederation | CONCACAF (North America) | ||
| Head coach | Heather Dyche | ||
| FIFA code | USA | ||
| |||
| Nordic Cup | |||
| Appearances | 12 (first in 1997) | ||
| Best result | Winners (1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008) | ||
The U-23 Women’s Youth National Team, operated under the auspices of U.S. Soccer, plays a pivotal role in bridging the significant gap between college soccer and the development of players for the full Women’s National Team. It functions as a crucial development partner with the NWSL.
In response to FIFA’s decision to shift its oldest youth world championship from Under-19s to Under-20s and a change in the Nordic Cup competition that became a U-23 event, the team transitioned from Under-21 to Under-23 in 2008. Following the conclusion of the Nordic Cup in 2009, the U.S. U-23s have engaged in various international competitions, primarily in Spain and Scandinavia. In recent years, they have participated in an NWSL preseason tournament in Portland, where they compete in three games against NWSL clubs.
History
Beginnings as a U-20 program
The United States U-23 team has been active since 1989, however it was run as a U-20 team from its inception until 1998.[1] Its main goal was to prepare college players for the step up to international soccer. Women had no viable opportunities to enhance their playing abilities, aside from overseas, since the United States lacked a top-level domestic league during this time.
The switch to U-21
In 1998, United States Soccer Federation decided to make the team a U-21 team in order to give women a higher level of play to better prepare them for the full National Team. In accordance with this strategy, the U-21 team frequently rostered "over-aged" players in the U-21 training camps, as well as the Nordic Cup. It remained a U-21 team from 1998 through 2008.
Competing as a U-23 team
2008 saw the change of the U.S.'s oldest youth national team moved to the U-23 level. The move was made by the United States Soccer Federation in response to age-level changes FIFA had made to its oldest women's youth competition, now named FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup. The age limit was raised from being a U-19 tournament to a U-20 tournament. This change, coupled with a newly introduced U-23 age limit to the Nordic Cup, prompted the USSF to rethink and eventually change the youth development team. The team continues to serve as a stepping-stone for collegiate and post-collegiate players to the United States Women's National Team.[2] Additionally, many U-23 players develop further through the National Women's Soccer League. While many of the post-collegiate players play in this league to develop their game, the U-23's turned focus on college players who are out of season and may not yet be NWSL-eligible.
Results and schedule
The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.
2025
- Legend
Win Draw Lose Fixture
| May 30, 2025 Friendly | Germany | 1–2 | | Stuttgart, Germany |
|
Report | Referee: Davina Lutz |
| June 2, 2025 Friendly | Germany | 2–1 | | Stuttgart, Germany |
|
Report | Stadium: Kramski-Arena Referee: Selina Menzel (Germany) |
| November 28, 2025 Friendly | Slovakia | 0-1 | | Senec, Slovakia |
| Report | Sentnor |
Stadium: National Training Center |
| December 1, 2025 Friendly | England | 2-4 | | Accrington, England |
| Report | Stadium: Wham Stadium |
Players
Current squad
20 players were named to the squad on January 2026 Development Camp.[3]
Caps and goals are current as of December 2, 2025, after match against England.[4][5]
| No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Valentina Amaral | April 5, 2005 | 0 | 0 | ||
| GK | Caroline Birkel | August 25, 2006 | 2 | 0 | ||
| GK | Sonoma Kasica | June 26, 2006 | 1 | 0 | ||
| DF | Natalie Bain | December 29, 2003 | 0 | 0 | ||
| DF | Ally Brown | October 9, 2003 | 0 | 0 | ||
| DF | Macy Blackburn | April 23, 2003 | 0 | 0 | ||
| DF | Bella Devey | April 7, 2003 | 0 | 0 | ||
| DF | Gracie Falla | 21–22 | 0 | 0 | ||
| DF | Daya King | October 1, 2007 | 0 | 0 | ||
| DF | Zoe Matthews | May 25, 2007 | 0 | 0 | ||
| DF | Sierra Sythe | February 18, 2005 | 0 | 0 | ||
| MF | Pearl Cecil | January 24, 2008 | 0 | 0 | ||
| MF | Sam Courtwright | October 23, 2004 | 0 | 0 | ||
| MF | Charlotte Kohler | October 18, 2005 | 0 | 0 | ||
| MF | Lexi Missimo | January 30, 2003 | 0 | 0 | ||
| MF | Y-Lan Nguyen | June 2, 2007 | 0 | 0 | ||
| MF | Ashlyn Puerta | February 27, 2007 | 0 | 0 | ||
| MF | Nyanya Touray | July 25, 2008 | 0 | 0 | ||
| FW | Lilliah Blum | 0 | 0 | |||
| FW | Alex Buck | February 14, 2006 | 0 | 0 | ||
| FW | Seven Castain | April 26, 2004 | 0 | 0 | ||
| FW | Wrianna Hudson | November 15, 2005 | 0 | 0 | ||
| FW | Hope Leyba | July 5, 2005 | 0 | 0 | ||
| FW | Ava McDonald | October 29, 2007 | 0 | 0 | ||
Recent call-ups
The following players were also named to a squad within the last 12 months.
- November/December 2025 friendlies.[6]
- October 2025 training camp.[7]
- June/July 2025 training camp.[8]
- May/June 2025 friendles.[9]
- March 2025 training camp.[10][11]
This list may be incomplete.
| Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Neeku Purcell | October 7, 2003 | 1 | 0 | November/December 2025 friendlies | |
| GK | Liz Beardsley | April 21, 2003 | 1 | 0 | November/December 2025 friendlies | |
| GK | Leah Freeman | February 6, 2002 | 0 | 0 | October 2025 training camp | |
| GK | Emmie Allen | October 25, 2002 | 0 | 0 | June/July 2025 training camp | |
| GK | Mia Justus | September 2, 2002 | 0 | 0 | June/July 2025 training camp | |
| GK | Maddie Prohaska | December 2, 2002 | 0 | 0 | June/July 2025 training camp | |
| GK | Angelina Anderson | March 22, 2001 | 1 | 0 | May/June 2025 friendlies | |
| GK | Jordan Silkowitz | March 27, 2000 | 1 | 0 | May/June 2025 friendlies | |
| GK | Izzy Lee | 0 | 0 | Training camp; March 2025 | ||
| GK | Nona Reason | July 1, 2004 | 0 | 0 | Training camp; March 2025 | |
| GK | Stephanie Sparkowski | April 18, 2002 | 0 | 0 | Unattached | Training camp; March 2025 |
| DF | Gisele Thompson | December 2, 2005 | 1 | 0 | November/December 2025 friendlies | |
| DF | Evelyn Shores | December 29, 2004 | 4 | 1 | November/December 2025 friendlies | |
| DF | Jayden Perry | March 31, 2003 | 2 | 0 | November/December 2025 friendlies | |
| DF | Eva Gaetino | December 17, 2002 | 7 | 0 | November/December 2025 friendlies | |
| DF | Ayo Oke | April 5, 2003 | 2 | 0 | November/December 2025 friendlies | |
| DF | Emily Mason | October 23, 2002 | 2 | 0 | October 2025 training camp | |
| DF | Natalie Bain | December 29, 2003 | 0 | 0 | October 2025 training camp | |
| DF | Ella Hase | July 12, 2002 | 0 | 0 | October 2025 training camp | |
| DF | Quincy McMahon | September 26, 2002 | 0 | 0 | October 2025 training camp | |
| DF | Lauren Flynn | May 22, 2002 | 2 | 0 | June/July 2025 training camp | |
| DF | Heather Gilchrist | March 4, 2004 | 0 | 0 | June/July 2025 training camp | |
| DF | Makenna Morris | April 26, 2002 | 0 | 0 | June/July 2025 training camp | |
| DF | Lilly Reale | August 12, 2003 | 3 | 1 | May/June 2025 friendlies | |
| DF | Jordyn Bugg | August 11, 2006 | 2 | 0 | May/June 2025 friendlies | |
| DF | Kennedy Wesley | March 8, 2001 | 2 | 0 | May/June 2025 friendlies | |
| DF | Zara Chavoshi | December 6, 2002 | 0 | 0 | Training camp; March 2025 | |
| DF | Savy King | February 7, 2005 | 0 | 0 | Training camp; March 2025 | |
| DF | Mimi Van Zanten | January 25, 2005 | 0 | 0 | Training camp; March 2025 | |
| MF | Riley Jackson | December 2, 2005 | 4 | 0 | November/December 2025 friendlies | |
| MF | Ally Lemos | March 4, 2004 | 2 | 0 | November/December 2025 friendlies | |
| MF | Ally Sentnor | February 18, 2004 | 2 | 2 | November/December 2025 friendlies | |
| FW | Simone Jackson | January 28, 2003 | 2 | 0 | November/December 2025 friendlies | |
| MF | Sarah Schupansky | August 25, 2003 | 4 | 0 | November/December 2025 friendlies | |
| MF | Abi Brighton | March 29, 2002 | 4 | 0 | November/December 2025 friendlies | |
| MF | Kimmi Ascanio | January 21, 2008 | 1 | 0 | November/December 2025 friendlies | |
| MF | Gia Corley | May 20, 2002 | 0 | 0 | October 2025 training camp | |
| MF | Taylor Huff | August 16, 2002 | 5 | 0 | October 2025 training camp | |
| MF | Katie O'Kane | January 18, 2002 | 0 | 0 | October 2025 training camp | |
| MF | Maggie Graham | July 10, 2002 | 0 | 0 | June/July 2025 training camp | |
| MF | Yuna McCormack | November 3, 2004 | 0 | 0 | June/July 2025 training camp | |
| MF | Sally Menti | March 10, 2002 | 0 | 0 | June/July 2025 training camp | |
| MF | Korbin Albert | October 13, 2003 | 2 | 1 | May/June 2025 friendlies | |
| MF | Jaedyn Shaw | November 20, 2004 | 2 | 0 | May/June 2025 friendlies | |
| MF | Samantha Meza | November 7, 2001 | 2 | 0 | May/June 2025 friendlies | |
| MF | Meg Boade | July 3, 2002 | 0 | 0 | Training camp; March, 2025 | |
| FW | Riley Tiernan | November 14, 2002 | 4 | 0 | November/December 2025 friendlies | |
| FW | Pietra Tordin | March 30, 2004 | 2 | 0 | November/December 2025 friendlies | |
| FW | Maddie Dahlien | July 25, 2004 | 4 | 1 | November/December 2025 friendlies | |
| FW | Karlie Lema | June 29, 2003 | 2 | 0 | November/December 2025 friendlies | |
| FW | Sarah Weber | May 14, 2003 | 2 | 1 | November/December 2025 friendlies | |
| FW | Emeri Adames | April 3, 2006 | 2 | 1 | November/December 2025 friendlies | |
| FW | Jameese Joseph | May 3, 2002 | 2 | 0 | October 2025 training camp | |
| FW | Giana Riley | April 13, 2004 | 0 | 0 | June/July 2025 training camp | |
| FW | Jaedyn Shaw | November 20, 2004 | 0 | 0 | June/July 2025 training camp | |
| FW | Makenna Morris | April 26, 2002 | 2 | 0 | May/June 2025 friendlies | |
| FW | Mia Fishel | April 30, 2001 | 2 | 0 | May/June 2025 friendlies | |
| FW | Caiya Hanks | September 26, 2004 | 2 | 0 | May/June 2025 friendlies | |
| FW | Quincy McMahon | September 26, 2002 | 3 | 0 | Training camp; March 2025 | |
| FW | Reilyn Turner | October 18, 2002 | 3 | 1 | Training camp; March 2025 | |
- Notes
- INJ - Injury
- PRE - Withdrawal prior to camp
Coaches
Jerry Smith (2001–2002)
Chris Petrucelli (2003–2004)
Jill Ellis (2005–2006)
Bill Irwin (2007–2011)
Randy Waldrum (2012–2013)
Steve Swanson (2013–2014)
Janet Rayfield (2015–2016)
Laura Harvey (2017)
B. J. Snow (2017–2019)
Matt Potter (2020–2022)
Jené Baclawski (2022)
Carrie Kveton (2023)
Margueritte Aozasa (2023)
Heather Dyche (2025–present)[12]
References
- ^ 2009 WNT U.S. Soccer Media Guide
- ^ "Page Not Found | U.S. Soccer Official Website | USWNT & USMNT". www.ussoccer.com. Archived from the original on July 15, 2021. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
{{cite web}}: Cite uses generic title (help) - ^ "24 Players Named To U.S. National Team Development Camp Which Will Run Concurrently With USWNT Training Camp in Los Angeles". ussoccer.com. United States Soccer Federation. January 15, 2026. Retrieved January 17, 2026.
- ^ "ŽENY A – Slovensko – USA 23 0:1". futbalsfz.sk (in Slovak). November 28, 2025. Retrieved December 4, 2025.
- ^ "U.S. Under-23 Women's National Team Defeats England U-23 WNT, 4-2". United States Soccer Federation. December 2, 2025. Retrieved December 21, 2025.
- ^ "20 Players Named For U.S. Under-23 Women's National Team Trip to Europe for Matches Against Full Slovakia WNT and England's U-23 WNT". United States Soccer Federation. November 19, 2025. Retrieved December 21, 2025.
- ^ "24 Players Named for U.S. U-23 WNT Training Camp to Run Concurrently with USWNT Upcoming FIFA Window". United States Soccer Federation. October 16, 2025. Retrieved October 23, 2025.
- ^ "24 Players Named for U.S. Under-23 Women's National Team Training Camp to Run Concurrently with USWNT's Denver Leg of Upcoming FIFA Window". United States Soccer Federation. June 20, 2025. Retrieved June 22, 2025.
- ^ "20 Players Named for U.S. Under-23 Women's National Team Trip to Germany for Two Matches against the Hosts". USSoccer.com. Retrieved May 21, 2025.
- ^ "24 Players Called Up for U.S. U-23 Women's National Team Training Camp in Los Angeles". United States Soccer Federation. March 26, 2025. Retrieved March 26, 2025.
- ^ "Defender Gisele Thompson Replaces Tierna Davidson on U.S. Women's National Team Roster for April Matches against Brazil". United States Soccer Federation. March 31, 2025. Retrieved May 22, 2025.
- ^ "Heather Dyche Named as New Head Coach of U.S. Under-23 Women's National Team". United States Soccer Federation. November 5, 2025. Retrieved November 9, 2025.