U.S. U-16 Women’s Youth National Team defeats France 3-1 in UEFA Development Tournament

KARLSKRONA, Sweden – The U.S. Under-16 Women’s Youth National Team earned its second win in as many games at its UEFA Development Tournament, downing France 3-1 in a match that saw all four goals scored in the second half.

The USA defeated Norway, 4-0, on May 18 in the first game of the friendly tournament. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, these are the first international matches for the U.S. U-16s since February 2020 when the USA played in a UEFA Development Tournament in England.

After a scoreless first half, the USA got on the board in the 52^nd minute as forward Ava McDonald beat a player down the wing and served a cross in the air to the top of the six-yard box, where midfielder Avery Robinson finished with a volley.

The lead didn’t last long as substitute Nermyne Ben Khaled equalized for France four minutes later.

The USA took the lead in the 77^th minute off a corner kick from forward Emeri Adames. Defender Elizabeth Boamah’s shot was deflected by a defender and the ball fell to U.S. defender Jordyn Bugg who finished what would be the eventual game-winner.

The USA added an insurance goal in the 82^nd as Adames served a ball into the penalty box from the left wing. The ball sailed over the heads of several France defenders and Sophia Bradley finished first-time for the final score line.

The goals for all three scorers were their first at the U-16 international level.

The U.S. team is being led by U.S. Under-17 Women’s Youth National Team head coach Natalia Astrain, who recently guided the USA to the title at the Concacaf Women’s U-17 Championship in the Dominican Republic and a berth to the 2022 FIFA Women’s World Cup in India. All the players on this U-16 WYNT roster are age-eligible for that team.

The USA will face host Sweden on May 23 to finish the friendly tournament. Players born on or after Jan. 1, 2006, are age-eligible for this competition and all 20 players called to travel to Sweden were born in 2006.

— U.S. U-16 WOMEN’S YOUTH NATIONAL TEAM MATCH REPORT —

Match: U.S. U-16 Women’s Youth National Team vs. France
Date: May 20, 2022
Competition: UEFA Development Tournament
Venue: Västra Mark; Karlskrona, Sweden
Weather: 66 degrees, Sunny

Scoring Summary:   1          2          F         
USA                            0          3          3
FRA                            0          1          1

USA – Avery Robinson (Ava McDonald)                   52^nd minute
FRA – Nermyne Ben Khaled                                      56
USA – Jordyn Bugg (Lizzie Boamah)                         77
USA – Sophia Bradley (Emeri Adames)                    82

Lineups:

USA: 1-Caroline Birkel, 2-Emeri Adames (9-Ines Derrien, 86) 3-Carla Small (5-Kennedy Roesch, 75), 8-Addison Halpern (21-Lizzie Boamah, 75), 10- Eleanor Klinger, 11-Ava McDonald (4-Sophia Bradley, 60), 14-Avery Robinson (13-Grace Restovich, 75), 15-Addison Hess (6-Sophia Brelage, 46), 18-Reese Klein (7-Jordyn Bugg, 60), 24-Neveah Peregrina (23-Kendall Bodak, 46), 25-Tabitha Sine

Subs not used: 12-Keeley Titmuss

Head Coach: Natalia Astrain

FRA Starters: 1-Alyssa Fernandes, 3-Valeryane Policik, 5-Laura Obrecht, 6-Clara Bertrand, 8- Mariah Gueguen, 9-Chancelle Efta Efta, 11-Kadidia Traore, 12-Celeste Delcroix, 15-Aude Bizet, 17-Naolia Traore, 19-Kelly Camara

Substitutes: N/A

Head Coach: Nathalie Jarosz

Stats Summary: USA / FRA                        
Shots: 14 / 7
Shots on Goal:  7/ 4
Saves: 3 / 4
Corner Kicks: 4 / 1
Fouls: 4 / 5
Offside: 2 / 0

Misconduct Summary:
USA – Eleanor Klinger (Caution)                   29^th minute
USA – Avery Robinson (Caution)                 44
FRA – Nermyne Ben Khaled (Caution)          80

Officials:
Referee: Amanda Nylund Karman
Assistant Referee 1: Emilia Miter
Assistant Referee 2: Erna Huskic
Fourth Official: Vendela Hogqvist