As the USWNT gears up to face the Three Lionesses, the spotlight is on Lily Yohannes, one of the rising stars in the soccer world. Earning her first international call-up at just 16 years of age, she even went on to score on her debut, making her the third youngest goal scorer in USWNT history. It’s not just fans who have her attention; scouts from across the globe have taken notice of this young sensation. 

Born on June 12, 2007, in Springfield, Virginia, to Ethiopian parents, she moved to the Netherlands at the age of 10. This transition not only shaped her soccer journey but also positioned her as the future of Emma Hayes’ USWNT. Here’s everything you need to know about Lily Yohannes!

Lily Yohannes’ family roots in the beautiful game 

Lily was born to parents, Semhar Bokretsion (Eritrean-American) and Daniel Yohannes (Ethiopian), who cultivated an environment that revolved around the sport. In an interview with Sam Mewis, Lily revealed that her father had converted their basement into an indoor soccer pitch, which fueled the soccer craze among her family. She is the youngest of three siblings, with two elder brothers, Aethan, 20, and Jayden, 18. 

Aethan has represented the United States U-15 and U-17 national teams, played college soccer at Wake Forest University, and currently plays for the U-21 team of FC Den Bosch in North Brabant, where he is recovering from an ACL injury. Her brother Jayden plays for the U-21 team of SC Telstar in North Holland. The soccer talent in her family spans generations, with their grandfather, Bokretsion Gebrehiwot, who was a member of Eritrea’s men’s national team. He played in the 1968 African Cup of Nations. 

Continuing a Legacy

In 2017, her family moved to the Netherlands, a decision that would prove vital in Lily’s career. She started playing for an amateur boys’ team, quickly catching the attention of the Dutch Football Federation (KNVB). Her talent stood out, and at just 13 years old, she signed with Ajax, becoming the youngest player in the club’s history to secure a professional contract.

At 16, she became the youngest American to play in a UEFA Women’s Champions League match, debuting for Ajax against Paris Saint-Germain. Since then, she’s been making waves in the soccer world and has been thankful to her parents and siblings for their sacrifices. While Lily Yohannes occasionally shares glimpses of her life on Instagram, there’s no indication of her being in a relationship or having a dating partner at this time.

Speaking of social media, her father Daniel’s X account is filled with tweets about his children’s achievements. With Emma Hayes sidelining several players from the roster due to injuries and other issues, the 17-year-old might have the opportunity to earn her second cap in front of 80,000 spectators at Wembley, a perfect stage for her to shine.