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Lily Yohannes, 16, scored in her first appearance for the U.S. women’s soccer team.
CNN
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It’s an unforgettable international debut for 16-year-old soccer phenom Lily Yohannes after the teenager scored in the U.S. women’s team’s 3-0 win over South Korea on Tuesday.
The youngster was sent on as a substitute in the second half of the friendly and scored within 10 minutes of coming on, finishing off a well-worked corner in the 82nd minute.
The American, who plays for Dutch club Ajax, appeared overcome with emotion as she celebrated the goal with the rest of her teammates.
“It’s definitely a dream come true,” Yohannes said in her post-match interview, after becoming the third-youngest player to score for the U.S. women’s team.
“I played this scenario in my head, how many times before this match? I just have the idea of coming in and scoring.
“It was definitely amazing support from my teammates running towards me, which made it even more special. I’m just really happy, really excited.
Yohannes made his debut under new American manager Emma Hayes, who was impressed by the midfielder during last training camp.
“She doesn’t look like a 16-year-old,” Hayes said after the game, according to ESPN. “She knows what I think of her. I really pushed and I wanted her on this team.
Bailey Hillesheim/Sportswire Icon/AP
American players celebrate together after Yohannes scores his first goal.
The young midfielder was born in Virginia but moved to the Netherlands with her family in 2017.
His talents quickly attracted the attention of footballing powerhouse Ajax, and it didn’t take long for the sensation to be integrated into the first team.
In November last year, at just 16 years old, she became the youngest player to start a Women’s Champions League group stage match.
“She is a natural footballer who is confident in her abilities. I think playing in Europe helped it, accelerated it,” Hayes added, according to ESPN.
“She’s had exposures that a lot of 16-year-old American girls haven’t had, and it shows. There was a maturity even at a tender age.
Goals from Crystal Dunn and Sophia Smith had given the United States firm control against the Taegeuk Ladiesbefore Yohannes’ strike crowned another successful evening for the Americans.
The youngster hopes to be an integral part of the team as Hayes looks to usher in a new era for the four-time Women’s World Cup winner after failing to reach at least the semi-finals of the tournament last year for the first ever times.
The former Chelsea manager has now won her first two matches in charge, both against South Korea.
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