As one soccer coach once said, “If you’re good enough, you’re old enough.” It’s an adage that tends to work outside of countries that don’t rely on a collegiate pipeline, but as the National Women’s Soccer League has begun to move away from only signing Americans who’ve gone through the draft, so too has the U.S. women’s national team.
Youth and all of its variety was on display in the USWNT’s 0-0 draw to England at a packed Wembley Stadium on Saturday, as eight players aged 25 or under saw the pitch for the Stars and Stripes. Another six such young players were available for selection on the bench.
It was always on the cards that U.S. head coach Emma Hayes, who handed out debuts to countless players who came through Chelsea’s youth academy, would have no fear over blooding younger talent. Although the top line for most fans might be the fact the team has gone unbeaten under Hayes so far—picking up an Olympic gold medal in the process—it’s hard to ignore the raft of players who have made their national team debut under the Englishwoman.
