Coached by Tracey Kevins, the USA went undefeated at the U-16 UEFA Women’s International Development Tournament in Portugal. The U.S. squad, comprised of 10 players born in 2002and 10 2003s, beat Switzerland (2-1), Portugal (2-1) and Belgium (5-1).
The wins over Switzerland and host Portugal came thanks to late goals by AbbyAllen of Lonestar SC and Abigail Borchers of the San Jose Earthquakes.
May 16 in Arcos de Valdevez, Portugal
USA 2 Switzerland 1.
Goals: Devin Lynch (Margaret Graham) 3, Abby Allen (Zoe Burns) 79; Eltine Bunjaku 44.
USA — Mia Justus (NeekuPurcell, 41), Andrea Kitahata, Abby Allen, Katie Groff (Aidan McConnell, 41), Sally Menti, Devin Lynch (Jillian Martinez, 41), Emma Egizii (Tatiana Fung, 41, Ayo Oke, 60), Maggie Graham (Zoe Burns,41), Arianna Manrique (Amber Nguyen, 68), Amelia White Abbie Kotter, 50), Abigail Borchers (Simone Jackson, 50).
Switzerland — Lourdes Romero (Janaina Figueiredo, 41), SinaSchupbach (Michelle Reinschmidt, 41), Sophie Bohner (Sophie Aberhard, 41), Regina Hacker, Jasmin Colombo, Joelle Meister (Noemi Buhler, 41), Yllka Kadriu (Ella Ljustina, 41), Deborah Cavalieri (ElianeGraf, 61), Maeva Muino (Ramona Kannady, 27), Svenja Folmli, Anna Arni (Eltine Bunjaku, 41).
May 14 in Paços de Ferreira,Portugal
Portugal 1 USA 2.
Goals: Maria Negrão (pen.) 18; Amber Nguyen (Amelia White) 33, Abigail Borchers (Arianna Manrique)82+.
Portugal — Luisa Pinheiro, Debora Esteves, Ana Assucena, Mariana Malva, Alicia Correia, Maria Miller (Joana Caiado, 41), Sofia Silva (Maria Leonor, 71), Vera Cid (NicoleAraujo, 41), Maria Negrao (Margarida Conceicao, 55), Mariana Alberto (Maria Alagoa, 41), Rafaela Mesquita (Luana Marques, 48).
USA — Neeku Purcell, Ayo Oke (Sally Menti, 68),Abby Allen, Aidan McConnell, Andrea Kitahata, Jillian Martinez (Devin Lynch, 60), Maggie Graham (Tatiana Fung, 41), Zoe Burns (Emma Egizii, 41), Simone Jackson (Arianna Manrique, 60), Amber Nguyen(Abbie Kotter, 41), Amelia White (Abigail Borchers, 60).
May 12 in Rebordosa,Portugal
USA 5 Belgium 1.
Goals: Abbie Kotter (Maggie Graham) 6, Amber Nguyen (Ayo Oke) 15, Tatiana Fung (Abbie Kotter) 23, Simone Jackson(Amelia White) 68, Simone Jackson (Amelia White) 75; Aidan McConnell (own goal) 73.
USA — Mia Justus, 15-Ayo Oke (Andrea Kitahata, 62), Abby Allen (Katie Groff, 41), AidanMcConnell, Sally Menti, Devin Lynch (Jillian Martinez, 62), Maggie Graham (Emma Egizii, 41), Tatiana Fung (Zoe Burns, 41), Amber Nguyen (Simone Jackson, 41), Abbie Kotter (Amelia White, 62), AriannaManrique (Abigail Borchers, 62).
Belgium —Riet Maes, Silke Janssens, Emilie Claerbout, Marith de Bondt (Emmy Donne, 54), Fran Meersman (Sterre Gielen, 41), Lea Cordier, FeliDelacauw (Cato Dellaert, 54), Jarne Teulings, Tess Wils (Manon Lamotte, 41), Lisa Buyle (Sien Vandersanden, 54), Hannah Eurlings.
U.S. U-16 girls nationalteam
GOALKEEPERS (2): Mia Justus (PDA; North Brunswick, N.J.), Neeku Purcell (Seattle Reign Academy; Seattle, Wash.).
DEFENDERS (6): AbbyAllen (Lonestar SC; Austin, Texas), Katherine Groff (NC Courage; Raleigh, N.C.), Andrea Kitahata (San Jose Earthquakes; Hillsborough, Calif.), Aidan McConnell (Michigan Hawks; Dexter, Mich.), SallyMenti (Crossfire Premier; Seattle, Wash.), Ayo Oke (Concorde Fire; Lawrenceville, Ga.).
MIDFIELDERS (6): Zoe Burns (Crossfire Premier; Issaquah, Wash.), Emma Egizii (Beach FC;Downey, Calif.), Tatiana Fung (LAFC Slammers; Fullerton, Calif.), Margaret Graham (NTH Tophat; Atlanta, Ga.), Devin Lynch (Eclipse Select SC; Naperville, Ill.), Jillian Martinez (Lonestar SC; SanAntonio, Texas).
FORWARDS (6): Abigail Borchers (San Jose Earthquakes; Fresno, Calif.), Simone Jackson (LAFC Slammers; Redondo Beach, Calif.), Abbie Kotter (LA Roca FC;Providence, Utah), Arianna Manrique (NTH Tophat; Buford, Ga.), Amber Nguyen (Concorde Fire; Snellville, Ga.), Amelia White (Fort Wayne United; Fort Wayne, Ind.).