A Strategic Stop in Germany
The U.S. Under‑19 Women’s National Team will depart for Frankfurt, Germany on May 31, beginning a ten‑day camp that culminates with two competitive fixtures against the host nation. The training sessions will be held at the DFB Campus, Germany’s National Training Center, providing a state‑of‑the‑art environment for the youngsters.
Head coach Carrie Kveton has assembled a 19‑player roster that blends 17 collegiate standouts with two rising professionals from the USL Women’s Super League. Among them are Ashlyn Puerta of Sporting JAX and Sealey Strawn of Dallas Trinity FC, both of whom bring recent USL experience and a proven knack for finding the net.
Strawn, who has already tallied five goals for Dallas Trinity FC this season, including a brace in the final match against Fort Lauderdale United, is tied for second in the league with twelve goals. Puerta, meanwhile, shares that distinction with twelve goals of her own. The squad also includes five players who have already tasted the intensity of a FIFA U‑17 Women’s World Cup, such as defender Pearl Cecil from Virginia and forward Lauren Malsom from UNC, who contributed three goals in the group stage against Ecuador and China PR.
Defensive depth is further reinforced by Kiara Gilmore (Wisconsin), Jordyn Hardeman (Virginia) and Daya King (Duke), all of whom featured in the 2024 U‑17 tournament. The United States finished third that year, its best result since the competition’s inception in 2008, a milestone that fuels optimism for the upcoming 2026 FIFA Women’s U‑20 World Cup in Poland.
The upcoming European swing is more than a warm‑up; it is part of the U.S. Soccer Federation’s broader “U.S. Way” philosophy, which prioritizes structured programming for youth national teams. Coach Kveton is expected to add one final player before the squad leaves, bringing the traveling party to twenty members. The experience gained in Germany will be pivotal as the team looks to translate its early‑year success into a strong showing on the world stage.