After the USA won the inaugural U-20 Women’s World Cup in 2002, Soccer America’s Scott French compared forwards Lindsay Tarpley, Heather O’Reilly, Kelly Wilson to the “Triple-Edged Sword,” heroes of the USA’s inaugural Women’s World Cup-winning team in 1991: Michelle Akers, April Heinrichs and Carin Jennings. Head coach Tracey (nee Bates) Leone, who also played on the 1991 team, became the first American to win a soccer world championship as both a player and head coach.
under-20 women’s world cup
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U-20 Women’s World Cup: USA aims for first title in 14 years
Coach Vicky Jepson’s team aiming to win the USA’s first U-20 World Cup title since 2012 is the most experienced American squad ever at that age group. Eight members play in the NWSL and three of them are in their third season of the world’s strongest women’s pro league. They’ll be tested in group play by Japan, which reached the last three finals, Italy (Sept. 6 opener) and New Zealand.
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USYNT: Eight NWSL players on U-20 Women’s World Cup squad
Eight pros and 13 collegians comprise Coach Vicky Jepson’s U.S. team for the 2026 U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland (Sept. 5-27). The USA last won the biennial championship in 2012. Three players are in their third NWSL seasons: Kennedy Fuller, Ainsley McCammon and Emeri Adames.
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What They’re Saying: Vicky Jepson
“We’re very fortunate that we have a manager of the women’s national team that is very much invested in our youth talent pathway. Every camp I do, I have a list of players that Emma Hayes wants to see, and we do high-potential reports on those to present to Emma, Denise Reddy and Lisa Cole. In terms of a game methodology … we’re very aligned. It needs to be age specific, but the principles of play — how we want to press and build and create opportunities is — very much similar to what Emma is doing.”
— Vicky Jepson, coach of the U.S. U-20 women’s national team that’s headed to the U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland. Six players from the 2024 U-20 World Cup team, which finished third under coach Tracey Kevins, have earned USWNT caps.
Jepson also addressed UEFA’s threats to boycott the tournament
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Youth Soccer Roundup
The draws were held for the U-20 Women’s World Cup and U-17 Men’s and Women’s Cups to be played in 2026.
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U.S. rosters: U-20, U-19 and U-18 women
California and Texas (10 players) and Pennsylvania (7 players) lead all states with players selected to the three U.S. women’s youth national teams gathering this week.
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New FIFA ruling boosts prospects for women coaches
All teams participating in a women’s tournament organized by FIFA will be required to have a female head coach or assistant after soccer’s governing body passed ground-breaking regulations at its council meeting on Thursday.
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U.S. under-20 women’s national team roster
The U.S. under-20 women’s national team will hold a training camp running Feb. 24-March 3 in Chula Vista, Calif. The squad includes nine players playing in the NWSL, the youngest being San Diego Wave midfielder Kimmi Ascanio, who was born in 2008. The camp is part of continued preparations for the 2026 U-20 Women’s World […]
Posted inSoccer America Confidential
U.S. U-19s coach Carrie Kveton on her unique mix of players and the Emma Hayes-led ‘female lens’ approach
Danish culture made an enormous impact on her, personally and professionally. “Everyone helps everyone. There’s a sense of ‘we’re all in this together.’”
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Six pros included in qualifying squad
Six pros — four from the NWSL and two in the USL Super League — are among the 21 players who will represent the USA at the 2025 Concacaf U-20 Women’s Championship.