CHICAGO (July 3, 2024) – The U.S. Under-17 Women’s Youth National Team will come together for a training camp running from July 8-16 in Atlanta, Ga., as preparations for the 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in the Dominican Republic continue.
During the camp, the USA will play its counterparts from Brazil, which is also qualified for the upcoming World Cup, on July 12 and 15, in closed door matches.
For this training camp, U.S. head coach Katie Schoepfer has called up 24 players, 14 of whom were on the roster for the 2024 Concacaf Women’s U-17 Championship last February, a tournament that the USA won by sweeping all five games in Mexico, including a 7-1 win over Haiti in the semifinal to qualify for the 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup and a 4-0 victory over the hosts in the title game.
On June 22, the USA learned its World Cup path and will face Spain, Colombia and Korea Republic in Group B at the 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, taking place at two stadiums in the Dominican Republic from October 16-November 3. The USA opens against reigning champion Spain on Wednesday, Oct. 16 at Félix Sánchez Stadium in Santo Domingo. The USA will then face 2022 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup runners-up Colombia at Félix Sánchez Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 19 and finished group play against Korea Republic on Tuesday, Oct. 22 at Cibao University Stadium in Santiago de los Caballeros.
This training camp features three current National Women’s Soccer League players in Melanie Barcenas and Kimmi Ascanio of San Diego Wave FC and Kennedy Fuller of Angel City FC. Fuller, who scored her first NWSL goal a few weeks ago when she tallied against Racing Louisville, scored eight goals in the qualifying tournament to lead the team and was awarded the Golden Ball as the competition’s best player.
Just two players will be in their first official training camp with the U-17 WYNT in forwards Kylie Maxwell and Mary Long, but after Ascanio was the only player born in 2008 extensively involved in the run up to the World Cup, Schoepfer named four additional 08s to this roster in midfielders Jaiden Rodriguez and Scottie Antonucci, forward Micayla Johnson and goalkeeper Evan O’Steen. All four have played well for the U.S. U-16 WYNT this year, which has recorded wins over Turkey, Vietnam, Botswana and twice against Germany, while also drawing with Paraguay. Rodriguez has scored four times for the U-16s this year while Johnson has three goals and Antonucci has one.
The players on the roster come from three pro clubs and 15 different youth clubs. The players hail from 13 different states with seven players coming from California and five from Texas.
Goalkeepers (3): Wicki Dunlap (North Carolina FC; Raleigh, N.C.), Evan O'Steen (Solar SC; Grapevine, Texas), Molly Vapensky (Carolina Ascent; Evanston, Ill.)
Defenders (7): Anna Babcock (Crossfire Premier SC; Sedro-Woolley, Wash.), Edra Bello (San Diego Surf SC; San Diego, Calif.), Kiara Gilmore (FC Dallas; Allen, Texas), Jordyn Hardeman (Solar SC; Midlothian, Texas), Daya King (Legends FC; Moreno Valley, Calif.), Katie Scott (Internationals SC; Fairview, Penn.), Jocelyn Travers (FC Bay Area Surf; Santa Cruz, Calif.)
Midfielders (8): Scottie Antonucci (Legends FC; Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.), Kimmi Ascanio (San Diego Wave; Doral, Fla.), Melanie Barcenas (San Diego Wave; San Diego, Calif.), Riley Cross (PDA; Chatham, N.J.), Kennedy Fuller (Angel City FC; Southlake, Texas), Ainsley McCammon (Solar SC; Bedford, Texas), Y-Lan Nguyen (VDA; Fairfax, Va.), Jaiden Rodriguez (San Diego Surf SC; San Diego, Calif.)
Forwards (6): Micayla Johnson (Michigan Hawks; Troy, Mich.), Ayva Jordan (Slammers FC HB Koge; Las Vegas, Nev.), Mary Long (Slammers FC HB Koge; Mission Hills, Kanas), Kylie Maxwell (Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals; Langhorne, Pa.), Maddie Padelski (Tennessee SC; Nolensville, Tenn.), Leena Powell (Tudela FC; Culver City, Calif.)