Emma Hayes Commends Rising Star Lily Yohannes After Victory Over Italy

After the United States women’s national team secured a 2-0 victory against Italy at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, head coach Emma Hayes lauded Lily Yohannes as a world-class prospect. Despite her impressive performance, Hayes noted that there is still room for improvement for the young player.

At just 18 years old, Yohannes made her 13th appearance and eighth start for the USWNT. “She’s achieving this at a young age. My experience has taught me that we shouldn’t impose limits on anyone. While she is just 18, we recognize her exceptional strengths and aim to further develop them. Simultaneously, we must enhance her skills to meet the demands of the elite level,” Hayes remarked after the match.

“I still see significant potential for growth. She’s an eager learner and consistently studies game footage, which will expedite her development thanks to her dedication. To be recognized as a truly world-class player, she needs to elevate her game further. At this moment, she stands as a world-class prospect, but the expectations are high if we aspire to be the best team globally,” Hayes added.

Yohannes played a pivotal role in the match, recording one assist by setting up teammate Catarina Macario for the opening goal in the 20th minute. The OL Lyonnais midfielder expressed her desire to enhance her game by observing and mimicking midfielders known for their exceptional passing skills. “I’ve always admired midfielders with a wide passing range and the ability to see plays develop. I’m focused on fostering my own creativity. Having such talented forwards in front of me certainly makes my role easier,” she stated.

During her first call-up to the USWNT at the 2024 SheBelieves Cup, Yohannes highlighted the significance of cultivating relationships both on and off the field to create scoring opportunities. “Cat [Macario] is an extraordinary player, and I believe that if she’s provided with the ball in front of the goal, she’s likely to score. We are developing a partnership that I find incredibly rewarding; our friendship off the field enhances our connection on the field, and assisting her means a lot to me,” Yohannes concluded.

Looking ahead, the USWNT will prepare for a training camp scheduled from January 17-24, during which they will face Paraguay and another opponent to be announced.