In a massive victory for U.S. women’s soccer, 17-year-old Dutch midfield sensation Lily Yohannes has officially declared her allegiance to the United States women’s national team. The Ajax starlet, who has lived in the Netherlands since the age of 10, faced a difficult decision in choosing between the USA and Dutch national teams. But after much deliberation, Yohannes ultimately opted to represent her birth nation.
“The U.S. is my homeland, my birthplace, and where my extended family resides,” Yohannes stated in a emotional social media post announcing her decision. “These strong connections have driven me to honor my roots and proudly commit to U.S. soccer.”
Born in Springfield, Virginia, Yohannes moved to Amsterdam at age 10 and quickly rose through the vaunted Ajax youth academy ranks. She made history in her 2023 Ajax first-team debut by becoming the youngest-ever starter in a UEFA Women’s Champions League match at just 16 years old. Her precocious playmaking ability and technical skills beyond her years have drawn comparisons to fellow Dutch-American luminary Sophia Smith.
A Prodigious Talent with Skyrocketing Potential
Although just 17, Yohannes has already made 40 appearances for Ajax’s senior side, notching 7 goals from her advanced midfield role. According to a club insider, the Dutch giants view her as a “generational talent” and “franchise cornerstone for the next decade.” Her vision, passing range, and ability to unlock defenses have scouts salivating over her potential.
“Lily is the kind of pure, instinctive playmaker that comes along maybe once in a generation,” revealed the anonymous Ajax source. “The way she sees the game and makes everyone around her better – it’s truly special. The USWNT are getting an absolute gem for their midfield.”
That tantalizing potential was on full display when Yohannes made her USWNT debut in June 2024. Coming on as a substitute in a friendly against South Korea, she needed just 10 minutes to make her mark, scoring a brilliant goal to become the third-youngest scorer in team history. The SheBelieves Cup cameo served as an exciting preview of what Yohannes could bring to the U.S. setup moving forward.
Thoughtful Decision Process with Both Federations
Still, Yohannes took her time in arriving at a final choice between the USWNT and Netherlands, not wanting to rush into a career-defining commitment. She credited both the U.S. and Dutch federations for giving her space and support to make a well-considered decision.
“I want to extend my deepest gratitude to the United States and Dutch Football Federations for their unwavering support and patient guidance as I made my decision,” Yohannes said. “Their dedication and encouragement have been invaluable.”
USWNT head coach Emma Hayes had expressed optimism about securing Yohannes’ services last October, but acknowledged the complex factors at play for a dual-national prospect.
“We have to be mindful she’s a really young player, and has been playing her domestic club football in the Netherlands,” Hayes noted at the time. “No matter what time it takes, it needs to be right for Lily. And when that time’s right, I’m sure I’ll update if I have anything to say on that.”
Yohannes Projects as a Foundational Piece for USWNT’s Future
Now that Yohannes has made her choice, she immediately jumps to the top of the USWNT’s brimming midfield talent pool. With current linchpins like Lindsey Horan and Rose Lavelle approaching 30, the teenage sensation profiles as an ideal heir apparent to orchestrate the U.S. attack for years to come.
At the 2023 World Cup, the USWNT’s lack of a natural playmaker was sorely felt as they stumbled to a disappointing fourth-place finish. Yohannes has all the tools to fill that void, but USWNT legend Carli Lloyd preached patience with the youngster’s development.
“Obviously, getting a talent like Lily in the USWNT pool is massive. She has the potential to be a program cornerstone,” Lloyd told ESPN. “But she’s still so young. It’s important not to place unrealistic expectations on her shoulders right away. If the team can bring her along gradually and put her in positions to succeed, she’s going to be a real difference-maker down the line.”
For her part, Yohannes is thrilled to continue her journey with the USWNT and eager to earn her place in the squad. “I am excited and eager to continue putting in the work and earn my place on the U.S. Women’s National Team,” she said in her announcement post. The first step will be breaking into Hayes’ roster for this fall’s Olympic qualifiers, but if Yohannes’ meteoric rise so far is any indication, she’ll be a fixture in the Red, White, and Blue for many years to come.
