‘Lily is a baller’

Lily Yohannes’ decision on her international soccer future has been made, and the U.S. women’s national team is better for it.

At just 16, the teenager has been heralded as a player beyond her years who could be the next big thing for the USWNT. In April, she earned her first senior team call-up to the SheBelieves Cup – at the time the youngest inclusion on a USWNT roster since Sophia Smith in 2017.

From there, Yohannes made her senior team debut back in June, becoming the third-youngest player in team history to score in their debut at 16 years and 358 days old.

But even then, her future participation with the national team was not guaranteed.

A dual-national, Yohannes also had the option to compete for the Netherlands. And the Dutch were vocal about courting her. So, too, were the USWNT. The decision is not one that Yohannes made lightly, and there was emphasis from the USWNT that they wouldn’t pressure her into making one, despite all of their hopes that she would choose to represent the U.S.

“We have to be mindful,” Hayes told the media after the USWNT’s October roster was announced. “She’s a really young player, and has been playing her domestic club football in the Netherlands. Understandably, she wants to take the time at her age and her stage before she makes an important decision.

“There has been communication post-Olympics between Lily and us at the federation. I’m always optimistic, but I don’t like to pressure anybody in this situation. I still very much harbor the hopes that Lily will represent the U.S. in the future. No matter what time it takes, it needs to be right for Lily.”

What makes Yohannes’ commitment such a big deal? Since the retirements of Julie Ertz and Sam Mewis, the USWNT has struggled to find consistency in the midfield. That, combined with the fact that players such as Lindsey Horan and Rose Lavelle will begin to age out in the coming years, means that the national team is going to need answers.

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Enter Yohannes.

While there are options in players such as Ashley Sanchez, Jaedyn Shaw and Catarina Macario, Yohannes being added into the rotation significantly deepens the player pool. While Sam Coffey has established herself as a solid option as a defensive midfielder, Yohannes is another that has the talent level to contribute now. With her range of passion, vision and pro-level composure at just 16, Yohannes can compete for a spot as the team’s No. 8, but could be even better at the No. 6.

Her ability to cover a lot of distance was showcased in June, and illuminated her ability to pair well with defenders such as Naomi Girma and create chances up front for her teammates. She’s also received high praise from many, including Hayes.

Last June, she made her debut in the Champions League with Ajax, the youngest player to ever start in a UWCL match. She kept her spot, starting in all six of the team’s UWCL games. At the time, Hayes was still in charge of Chelsea, who were set to face off against the Dutch club. While no recruitment was going on, the future USWNT coach couldn’t hold back when it came to Yohannes.

“There’s no denying her. Lily has tremendous talent, and to play for a top European team at the age of 16 in the center midfield position just shows how much faith the coach and team have in her,” Hayes said at the time. “Her final pass is exceptional. She’s got the ability, especially in tight areas, she can get out of pressure really well, but her vision, the quality of her execution is really, really high.”

Following her national team debut, USWNT forward Sophia Smith gave praise to her abilities – which rival that of veteran players.

“Lily is a baller,” Smith told TNT Sports after Yohannes’ debut. “From the day she came into camp, she was just making passes that you don’t see a 16-year-old make. You don’t even see veteran players make these passes…She looked like a natural out there, and then to get a goal on top of that is amazing and so well deserved.”

Even among teammates, it’s obvious that Yohannes possesses a vision for the game that is well beyond her years. While it’s almost too early to say, Yohannes’ hunger to learn and grow as a player combined with her promise could soon make her one of the best midfielders to ever play for the USWNT.

Speaking with her pro club Ajax on Tuesday, Yohannes described what it means to commit to the USWNT. While it wasn’t an easy decision for the young star, playing for the USWNT wasn’t something she could pass up.

“There’s many factors that went into my decision,” she said. “My love for the game started in the U.S. and ever since then it’s always been a dream of mine to play for the U.S. national team. I think having been involved with the team, it was just such an amazing experience wearing the shirt. It’s an indescribable feeling and I just know that that’s where my heart’s at.”