Combined U.S. U-19 and U-18 Women’s National Team Defeats Ireland, 1-0, on Late Goal from Audrey McKeen
McKeen Scores in 78th Minute to Give USA Win in First of Two Matches in Portugal
AMORA, Portugal (Oct. 25, 2025) – A combined team of U.S. Under-19 Women’s National Team players (born in 2007) and U.S. Under-18 Youth National Team players (born in 2008) defeated the Republic of Ireland, 1-0, on a late goal from forward Audrey McKeen.
The USA will face host Portugal on Oct. 28 to finish the trip.
The USA outshot Ireland 11-8 but couldn’t find the net until the 78th minute on a goal from Virginia product McKeen, who had entered the game just seven minutes earlier.
The goal came off an assist from defender Braelyn Even, who played a pass in behind the Ireland defense to McKeen (whose last name is of Scottish-Irish origin), and she finished smartly for the game-winner. The score came after the USA had defended an Ireland corner kick and launched the attack. The goal was McKeen’s first at the U-19 international level in her first U-19 cap.
Of the 20 players called up for this roster by U-19 WNT head coach Carrie Kveton, 12 were born in 2008 and eight were born in 2007.
The roster for this trip features one professional player in midfielder Kimmi Ascanio of the San Diego Wave in NWSL, one amateur player from the USL Super League in defender Alexa Strickler of Fort Lauderdale United FC and five college players: goalkeeper Lizzie Thornton from Wake Forest, defender Ella Bard from Louisville, midfielders Olivia Belcher and Paige Thompson, both from Alabama, and midfielder Adia Symmonds from Mississippi State. The remainder of the roster represents 11 different youth clubs.
Players born on or after Jan. 1, 2006, are age-eligible for next year’s 2026 FIFA Women’s U-20 World Cup in Poland, meaning all 20 players in camp are training and playing for a shot at that tournament.
The camp is part of the Federation’s continued focus on the U.S. Way philosophy, which emphasizes increased programming for Youth National Teams to create more opportunities for young players to advance through the pathway to the senior National Team with the goal of representing their country at a world championship.
- U.S. Under-19 Women's National Team Match Report -
Match: United States U-19 Women's National Team vs. Ireland U-19 Women’s National Team
Date: October 25, 2025
Competition: International Friendly
Venue: Complexo Municipal de Atletismo Carla Sacramento; Amora, Portugal
Weather: 68 degrees, humid, and light rain
| Scoring Summary | 1 | 2 | F |
| USA | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| POR | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Audrey McKeen (Braelyn Even) | 78th minute |
Lineups:
USA: 1-Lizzie Thornton; 3-Emmy O’Donnell (13-Alexa Strickler, 65), 5-Ella Bard (14-London Young, 46), 4-Braelyn Even, 20-Anna Babcock (2-Savannah Leifried, 65); 6-Paige Thompson (16-Olivia Belcher, 61), 10-Kimmi Ascanio (15-Saleen Koszorus, 65), 18-Reese Canada (8-Adia Symmonds, 65); 11-Addison Fife, 9-Rylee McLanahan (19-Kate Kemmerley, 46), 7-Nylah Norris (17-Audrey McKeen, 71).
Subs not used: 12-Josie Biehl
Head Coach: Carrie Kveton
IRL: 16-Enya Carthy; 4-Lillie Coulson (6-Aibhlinn Cotter, 76), 5-Clodagh Daly (3-Emma Gaughran, 76), 7-Sophia Leonard (2-Lucy O’Rourke, 71); 8-Aoibhe Brennan, 9-Lauren Bowe (11-Meave Wollmer, 46), 10-Hannah Healy (20-Della Cowper Gray, 65), 14-Katie Lawlee (13-Lucy Fitzgerald, 71), 17-Ella Kelly (18-Katie O’Reilly, N/A), 19-Anna Butler, 21-Finley Newell
Subs not used: 1-Maeve Gayer, 12-Hazel Donegan, 15-Sorcha Melia
Head Coach: David Connell
Stats Summary: USA / IRL
Shots: 11 / 8
Shots on Goal: 3 / 3
Saves: 3 / 2
Corner Kicks: 4 / 4
Fouls: 8 / 2
Offside: 1 / 1
| Misconduct Summary |
| USA – Nylah Norris (Caution) | 46th minute |
Officials:
Referee: Bruna Pico (POR)
Assistant Referee 1: Vera Correia (POR)
Assistant Referee 2: Andreia Miranda (POR)
Fourth Official: Silvia Lizeu (POR)