The United States begins its Under-20 Women’s World Cup campaign this weekend, seeking to win the competition for the first time since 2012.

At the 2024 edition, USA finished in third place, its best since winning it 14 years ago. 

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That underlines a trend that has emerged recently. Since winning the first three editions of the U20 World Cup in its first six tournaments, the USA hasn’t returned to the summit.

Will that change this time around? Things are certainly different for a United States program that is less reliant on college talent. Only 13 of the 21 players called up for the competition hail from Division I rosters. That doesn’t guarantee anything at this point, and it can be noted 

How will the pro players make a difference?

On the surface, with the trend of young players either departing college early or skipping that step in their development altogether, eight pro players are set to play with the Under-20s.

That provides a level of experience for the group. The players will join up having trained and played against grown women.

Of course, actual playing time in the NWSL season is a mixed bag for these younger players. The trio of Ainsley McCammon, Kennedy Fuller and Linda Ullmark (who did play a season of college soccer) all have at least 1,400 minutes of regular season action under their belt. That level of competition and pressure is sure to be valuable.

For some of the rest: Audrey McKeen, Micayla Johnson, Katie Scott and Emeri Adames, they sit between 300 and 700 minutes on the year. McKeen and Johnson are both playing two years up as players born in 2008. Evan O'Steen has only been a backup in Seattle, yet to see any professional minutes in NWSL. 

Two years ago, the roster breakdown was similar for the USA. Seven players in that squad were current pros; Claire Hutton and Jordyn Bugg, who are both 2006s, are eligible but not on the squad. Hutton has progressed and already picked up 20 caps with the full national team, while Bugg has also made a handful of appearances.

This year’s competition is another chance for the NWSL contingent to lead the way and make an impact.

Who are the best USWNT prospects?

In the two years since the 2024 World Cup, six of the 21 players on the roster have progressed to the full Women’s National Team.

That is the main point for youth competitions, meaning that despite the third place finish, it was an extremely successful tournament. Hutton and Aly Sentnor have both reached the 20-cap mark already. 

Sorting through this roster to determine who the best prospects for the full team is far from straightforward.

Virginia center back Pearl Cecil is a standout at the back, and if she continues to develop the pace and athleticism needed, could make the leap one day. Add in the pedigree of UVA center backs at the USWNT level and she is one to track.

A solid rookie season for Ullmark (Houston Dash) lends credence to her prospect status. While her three goals and three assists don’t represent the highest level of production, early signs are positive for the New York native.

Another player to watch is Nyanya Touray from Florida State. She has the ability in the right system and in the right set up can really thrive, and played up on the youth national team at last year’s Under-17 edition of the competition. 

Two Virginia natives are worth mentioning. Y-Lan Nguyen is part of a trio of Stanford players on the roster. The central midfielder showed extremely well last fall and has the makings and pedigree to hit the full national team. Former Virginia Development Academy teammate Audrey McKeen, a rookie with Racing Louisville, has started to come on strong and has the athletic profile to emerge as an option one day.

While her pro career hasn't been linear, Katie Scott showed high-level potential dating back to her time at Internationals, a year at Penn State and with the United States youth setup. This is a chance to demonstrate that she should be in line for more minutes with Kansas City Current.

Who are the top college players?

The timing of this World Cup is obviously a detriment to some of the top college programs around the country.

The aforementioned Cecil and Touray are linchpins of two ACC sides and among the biggest absences among regulars. North Carolina standout Sealey Strawn made four appearances, scoring her first goal before departing Chapel Hill. 

Her current teammates Aven Alvarez and Hope Munson will be big misses at the back for the Tar Heels as well. Alvarez is a junior and Munson is a sophomore.

Along with Stanford’s Nguyen, starting goalkeeper Caroline Birkel departed the Farm for the month. The former St. Louis Scott Gallagher standout will battle Kealey Titmuss (Penn State) for the starting role. Lizzie Boamah is another talented Stanford defender on the USA roster. 

How hard is the group?

With Italy, Japan and New Zealand scheduled foes in Group D, advancing to the knockout rounds is a must.

Opening up against Italy offers a softer challenge than if Japan had been first up. The women’s game in Italy has certainly improved, though this is just the third time the country has played at an Under-20 women’s competition. 

The pedigree of the Japanese women’s program is obviously on another tier. They enter as Asian Champions of the age group, always emphasizing a technical, possession-oriented style of play. They won the competition in 2018. 

By the time the USA faces New Zealand in the final group game, the necessary result is likely to be known. Coming out of the Oceania Confederation, the Kiwis can’t be taken for granted but it is a match where the USA would be favored.

In short, while the group is slightly harder than some of the others, third-place finishers do progress, meaning a failure to advance to at least the knockout rounds is note ideal.