Lily Yohannes: USWNT Anniversary & Emma Hayes Praise
- women's national team's youngest player at 17, is making a name for herself.
- Yohannes, a defensive midfielder, played a key role in ball progression and posession.
- Coach Emma Hayes noted the timing of Yohannes' rise alongside her own tenure could be seen as perfect or coincidental.
Lily Yohannes is quickly becoming a pivotal figure for the USWNT, and her recent performance against China highlights her growing influence in the midfield. The 17-year-old’s composure and playmaking skills are turning heads, earning praise from coach Emma Hayes and solidifying her role in the squad. Yohannes’ growing partnership with Sam Coffey is crucial, while her tactical advancement at Ajax continues to impress. News Directory 3 covers Yohannes’s rise, highlighting the impact of her contributions to ball progression and possession, as well as her maturity on the field, making her a key player to watch. Discover what’s next for this rising star as she aims to excel in women’s soccer.
Lily Yohannes’ star rises in USWNT midfield
Lily Yohannes, the U.S. women’s national team’s youngest player at 17, is making a name for herself. She recently started in a friendly against China at Allianz Field in Minnesota, nearly a year after her national debut. The Stars and Stripes defeated the Steel Roses 3-0.
Yohannes, a defensive midfielder, played a key role in ball progression and posession. She ranked second in recoveries during the match. Her partnership with Sam Coffey helped control the midfield tempo, disrupting China’s pressing efforts. This game marks another step in the young player’s promising career.
Coach Emma Hayes noted the timing of Yohannes’ rise alongside her own tenure could be seen as perfect or coincidental. Either way, the teenage talent is just beginning.
“I thought Sam [Coffey] was superb. I thought Lily [Yohannes] grew into the game… I think the team chemistry, the team cohesion has improved a lot [in] this camp,” Hayes said.
Yohannes has emerged as an exciting talent in women’s soccer. Her playmaking ability and maturity stand out for both the USWNT and her dutch club, Ajax. As a technically gifted midfielder,Yohannes has become a regular on the USWNT roster in 2025,building towards the 2027-28 international cycle. Hayes emphasized the importance of patience with the young player’s development.