“If you’re good enough, you’re old enough” is the kind of precedent that Olivia Moultrie likes to live by. Having stepped into the professional world as early as 15, she did more than just break the norm—the youngster challenged the NWSL rulebook over her right to play by suing the league and its stakeholders. While jump-starting her career and making court appearances, Olivia not only achieved personal success but also helped unlock new doors for others. Thanks to her efforts, a new U.S. Soccer youth movement has begun, with a young American trio setting a new league record!

In yesterday’s 0-3 win over Chicago Stars, San Diego Wave teenagers Kimmi Ascanio, Melanie Barcenas, and Trinity Armstrong etched history after becoming the first three 17-year-olds to take the pitch as starters. The reason why this feat is quite special is that earlier, aspiring talents who wished to play in the NWSL were required to wait at least until their 18th birthday.

However, that isn’t the case anymore, courtesy of the new rule that was brought into effect by the Jessica Berman-led women’s league, all thanks to Olivia Moultrie. Teenagers don’t have to wait anymore and can start their professional careers much earlier. No wonder the San Diego Wave trio was able to get their names in the NWSL history books.

Notably, all three were starters for the USWNT at last fall’s U-17 World Cup and helped the team secure a bronze medal. They have also won the 2024 U-17 CONCACAF Women’s Championship. Talking more about them individually, midfielder Kimmi Ascanio earned her official debut with the Waves last year on April 13.

So far, she played six matches for Jonas Eidevall’s side, even notching a goal. On the international front, Ascanio had found the net in the quarterfinal stage of the U-17 WC. She later became the youngest player to not only play but score in the final to help her side win the tournament.

Next up is Melanie Barcenas, who has also made six appearances as well as notching a goal this season. The talented forward enjoyed quite an emphatic rookie season in 2023, having made her debut against the Orlando Pride on April 29. With this, she managed to become the youngest player to ever appear for a club in NWSL history (15 years, 177 days). The Clairemont, California native has even unlocked her silverware feat with the Waves, having won the 2024 NWSL Challenge Cup and the 2023 NWSL Shield.

Her national team stats are more than impressive, having also represented the U-14, U-15, and U-16. Additionally, Barcenas made starts in all the matches of the 2024 FIFA U-17 World Cup, even scoring three times in the group stage. Another goal came to the 2024 CONCACAF Women’s U-17 Championship.

Last but certainly not least, defender Trinity Armstrong is a charm as well. The Frisco, Texas native impressed during her freshman year, starting all 21 matches, totaling 1,734 minutes, and leading a defense that posted 13 shutouts with an average of just 0.81 goals conceded per game. She earned spots on both the All-ACC First Team and the ACC All-Freshman Team, becoming the first Tar Heel since 2017 to make both teams. In addition to her international accolades, Armstrong was also named one of five nominees for the U.S. Soccer Young Female Player of the Year.

Hearing all these stats makes us confident of the future, not just for the San Diego Wave, but more importantly, for the USWNT. Ardent fans shall consider themselves lucky that neither of the Wave’s stars took the step Olivia Moultrie was almost about to take!

Olivia Moultrie was close to giving up on her American dream!

Considering how early Olivia Moultrie chose to pursue soccer, she and her family were contemplating a move to Europe due to the limited opportunities in the U.S. “When we decided to make the move, we knew we were going to move somewhere. We had thought about moving to Europe because, at the time, the pathway in terms of young players becoming a professional was more open there,” the 19-year-old said in the EssentiallySports exclusive.

But somehow, Olivia ended up staying with Portland after receiving an offer that changed everything. The chance to join her first team from day one and train alongside them was an opportunity she couldn’t pass up. It made her think, “What better environment could I ask for?” let alone being an influential figure in winning the right-to-play fight against NWSL.

Then again, that doesn’t mean Moultrie has completely ruled out playing in Europe. In a similar segment, the Portland Thorns star added, “I’d love to play in Europe and play in the Champions League at some point. That’s like a dream watching that as a little kid…I want to experience that. It’s really special.”

While it’s unclear when will that happen, in the meantime, we can at least see her enjoy the praise for changing the youth landscape of the US Soccer youth.