NWSL rookies Barcenas and Ricketts called up for U.S. U-17 camp

• by Paul Kennedy  @pkedit, Sep 11, 2023

The camp will take place Sept. 17-26 at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif., and feature a pair of friendlies against Japan’s U-17 WNT,  on Sept. 22 and Sept. 24.

The squad includes midfielders Melanie Barcenas (San Diego Wave) and Chloe Ricketts (Washington Spirit), marking the first time pro players have been named to a U-17 women's roster.

The NWSL introduced a new player mechanism to allow teams to sign players under the age of 18.

The squad also includes forward Kennedy Fuller, one of 14 U-17s on the U.S.  team that won the 2022 Concacaf Girls U-15 Championship. Fuller was awarded the Golden Ball after scoring a team-high nine goals in five games. 

Twenty-five on the roster were born in 2007, which is the cutoff birth year for players to play in the 2024 U-17 Women’s World Cup, while midfielder Kimmi Ascanio was born in 2008.

U.S. roster:
Goalkeepers (3): Olivia Geller (FC Dallas; Southlake, Texas), Molly Vapensky (Chicago FC United; Evanston, Ill.), Kennedy Zorn (SC del Sol; Peoria, Ariz.).
Defenders (9): Trinity Armstrong (IMG Academy; Frisco, Texas), Edra Bello (San Diego Surf SC; San Diego, Calif.), Mya Brandon (Michigan Hawks; Canton, Mich.), Alexis Coughlin (Legends FC; Corona, Calif.), Jordyn Hardeman (Solar SC; Midlothian, Texas), Daya King (Legends FC; Moreno Valley, Calif.), Kai Price (Concorde Fire; Atlanta, Ga.), Katie Scott (Internationals SC; Fairview, Pa.), Jocelyn Travers (FC Bay Area Surf; Santa Cruz, Calif.).
Midfielders (7): Kimmi Ascanio (Florida United SC; Doral, Fla.), Melanie Barcenas (San Diego Wave FC; San Diego, Calif.), Riley Cross (PDA; Chatham, N.J.), Kennedy Fuller (Solar SC; Southlake, Texas), Ainsley McCammon (Solar SC; Bedford, Texas), Chloe Ricketts (Washington Spirit; Dexter, Mich.), Ava Sherrer (San Diego Surf SC; San Diego, Calif.).
Forwards (7): Carrie Helfrich (Virginia Union FC; McLean, Va.), Ayva Jordan (Slammers FC HB Koge; Las Vegas, Nev), Avery Oder (Beach FC; Calabasas, Calif.), Maddie Padelski (Tennessee SC; Nolensville, Tenn.), Alexandra Pfeiffer (St. Louis Scott Gallagher; St. Louis, Mo.), Leena Powell (Tudela FC; Culver City, Calif.), Mya Townes (The St. James FC; Aldie, Va.).