{"id":53068,"date":"2025-10-16T23:58:14","date_gmt":"2025-10-17T03:58:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alofokedeportes.com\/en\/sin-categoria\/nwsl-young-stars-ranking-of-the-under-20-players-with-the-most-potential\/"},"modified":"2025-10-16T23:58:14","modified_gmt":"2025-10-17T03:58:14","slug":"nwsl-young-stars-ranking-of-the-under-20-players-with-the-most-potential","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alofokedeportes.com\/en\/soccer\/nwsl-young-stars-ranking-of-the-under-20-players-with-the-most-potential\/","title":{"rendered":"NWSL Young Stars: Ranking of the Under-20 Players with the Most Potential"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Young Stars Shine in the NWSL: The Promises of Women’s Soccer<\/h2>\n\n\nThe NWSL has opened its doors to young prospects, and age is no longer an impediment to talent. With the abolition of the college draft and the introduction of scouting events for young talents, more and more teams are identifying players capable of making a difference. Here is the ranking of the best players under 19 years old in the league.\n\nMany of these young women have already debuted with their national teams, while others shine in lower categories, demonstrating enormous potential. Following the departure of figures like Alyssa Thompson, Jaedyn Shaw, and Olivia Moultrie, as well as Japanese international Manaka Matsukubo, the landscape of young talents remains vibrant.\n\nThis year, the number of teenagers in the NWSL has increased, promising a bright future for the league. Who are the stars of the present and the future?\n\n\n
\"Gisele
Gisele Thompson (Angel City), Claire Hutton (Kansas City Current) y Jordyn Bugg (Seattle Reign) son algunas de las j\u00f3venes promesas de la NWSL.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\nHere’s the list of young prospects shining in the NWSL:\n\n\n
  • 21. Zoe Matthews<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\nAge: 18 years old
    Position: Defender
    Club: Houston Dash (on loan to Dux Logro\u00f1o)
    Country: USA\n\nMatthews is on loan in Spain until June 2026, which will allow her to gain experience to take on a more important role in Houston. She is a regular in the US youth selections.\n\n\n
    • 20. Katie Scott<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\nAge: 18 years
      Position: Defender
      Club: Kansas City Current
      Country: USA\n\nScott is in the process of adapting to the league. Although he doesn’t have many minutes currently, he is on a team with great development potential.\n\n\n
      • 19. Mak Whitham<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\nAge: 15 years
        Position: Forward
        Club: NJ\/NY Gotham FC
        Country: USA\n\nThe youngest player in the league, Whitham, has played in several league and Concacaf Champions Cup matches. These minutes are valuable for her development.\n\n\n
        • 18. KK Ream<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\nAge: 16 years
          Position: Forward
          Club: Utah Royals
          Country: USA\n\nReam joined Utah at 15 and became the youngest goalscorer in NWSL history. In addition, she is part of the US team that will compete in the U-17 World Cup.\n\n\n
          • 17. Micayla Johnson<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\nAge: 17 years
            Position: Forward
            Club: Chicago Stars FC
            Country: USA\n\nJohnson offers hope for the future of the Stars. He scored his first professional goal before going to the U-17 World Cup. Chicago signed her to a long-term contract.\n\n\n
            • 16. Ainsley McCammon<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\nAge: 18 years
              Position: Midfielder
              Club: Seattle Reign FC
              Country: USA\n\nMcCammon has been gaining minutes in Seattle. Despite not having goals, he has played 14 matches, demonstrating the trust of coach Laura Harvey.\n\n\n
              • 15. Chloe Ricketts<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\nAge: 18 years
                Position: Midfielder
                Club: Houston Dash (pre-contract with Boston Legacy for 2026)
                Country: USA\n\nRicketts will have a new opportunity in the NWSL expansion team, Boston Legacy FC, with a two-year contract. Her playing style is exciting.\n\n\n
                • 14. Alex Pfeiffer<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\nAge: 17 years
                  Position: Forward
                  Club: Kansas City Current
                  Country: USA\n\nPfeiffer debuted with the Kansas Current scoring a goal at 16 years old. Her 2024 season was cut short by a knee injury.\n\n\n
                  • 13. Mary Long<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\nAge: 18 years old
                    Position: Forward
                    Club: Kansas City Current
                    Country: USA\n\nLong has been gaining minutes in his debut season. He has been a regular in the lower categories of the US and helped the U-17 team finish third in the 2024 World Cup. He has one assist in nine games with Kansas City.\n\n\n
                    • 12. Melanie Barcenas<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\nAge: 17 years
                      Position: Winger
                      Club: San Diego Wave FC
                      Country: USA\n\nBarcenas is a viral player for her dribbling. Her next challenge is production, seeking clear goal opportunities.\n\n\n
                      \n \n<\/div>
                      Melanie Barcenas marca un gol para el San Diego Wave FC.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
                      • 11. Casey Phair<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\nAge: 18 years old
                        Position: Forward
                        Club: Angel City FC (on loan to Djurg\u00e5rden)
                        Country: South Korea\n\nPhair signed a contract extension and was loaned to the Damallsvenskan in Sweden. She has played more minutes there than at Angel City, but continues to struggle to get more appearances.\n\n\n
                        • 10. Valerin Loboa<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\nAge: 18 years
                          Position: Forward
                          Club: Portland Thorns FC
                          Country: Colombia\n\nPortland invested in Loboa, with a contract until 2028. He scored his first international goal and played in the Copa Am\u00e9rica for Colombia, demonstrating his potential.\n\n\n
                          • 9. Laila Harbert<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\nAge: 18 years old
                            Position: Midfielder
                            Club: Portland Thorns FC (on loan from Arsenal)
                            Country: England\n\nHarbert, who has been on loan during her career at Arsenal, has high expectations. Her loan in Portland is a great opportunity for her.\n\n\n
                            • 8. Trinity Armstrong<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\nAge: 18 years
                              Position: Defender
                              Club: San Diego Wave FC
                              Country: USA\n\nArmstrong is strong in duels and is growing as a central defender. He has demonstrated his ability to handle the position, replacing Naomi Girma.\n\n\n
                              • 7. Emeri Adames<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\nAge: 19 years
                                Position: Forward
                                Club: Seattle Reign FC
                                Country: USA\n\nAdames leads the teenagers with six goals, demonstrating her ability to change the course of the matches. Her goal against San Diego is a display of her talent.\n\n\n
                                \n \n<\/div>
                                Emeri Adames marca un gol para Seattle Reign.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
                                • 6. Kimmi Ascanio<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\nAge: 17 years
                                  Position: Forward
                                  Club: San Diego Wave FC
                                  Country: USA\n\nAscanio has been compared to Tobin Heath. Her production has increased, with four goals and one assist. Her playing style is unique.\n\n\n
                                  • 5. Riley Jackson<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\nAge: 19 years
                                    Position: Midfielder
                                    Club: North Carolina Courage
                                    Country: USA\n\nJackson is known for her exquisite passing ability. Although North Carolina has struggled, her potential is evident.\n\n\n
                                    \n \n<\/div>
                                    Manaka Matsukubo anota un gol para el North Carolina Courage.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
                                    • 4. Kennedy Fuller<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\nAge: 18 years old
                                      Position: Midfielder
                                      Club: Angel City FC
                                      Country: USA\n\nFuller has been a bright spot in Angel City, with four goals and three assists. She is a dynamic player with great decision-making and potential to be a number 10 in the long term.\n\n\n
                                      \n \n<\/div>
                                      Kennedy Fuller marca un gol para Angel City FC.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
                                      • 3. Jordyn Bugg<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\nAge: 19 years old
                                        Position: Defender
                                        Club: Seattle Reign FC
                                        Country: USA\n\nBugg has been compared to Naomi Girma. She is a pillar in the Seattle Reign defense and recently debuted with the U.S. national team. Her vision and technical ability make her an elite center-back.\n\n\n
                                        • 2. Gisele Thompson<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\nAge: 19 years
                                          Position: Defender
                                          Club: Angel City FC
                                          Country: USA\n\nAlthough her sister Alyssa is better known, Gisele is also making waves in the NWSL. With five assists, she leads the league and her future could be in a more offensive position.\n\n\n
                                          • 1. Claire Hutton<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\nAge: 19 years old
                                            Position: Midfielder
                                            Club: Kansas City Current
                                            Country: USA\n\nHutton is a key player for the Kansas City Current, which could become the best team in NWSL history. She is a brave defensive midfielder, capable of protecting the defense and initiating the attack with precise passes. Her future with the U.S. national team is promising.","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                                            Young Stars Shine in the NWSL: The Promises of Women’s Soccer The NWSL has opened its doors to young prospects, and age is no longer an impediment to talent. With the abolition of the college draft and the introduction of scouting events for young talents, more and more teams are identifying players capable of making […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[41],"tags":[798,8428,4197,3948],"class_list":{"0":"post-53068","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-soccer","7":"tag-nwsl","8":"tag-talents","9":"tag-womens-football","10":"tag-young-people"},"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/alofokedeportes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/53068","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/alofokedeportes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/alofokedeportes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alofokedeportes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alofokedeportes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=53068"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/alofokedeportes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/53068\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/alofokedeportes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=53068"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alofokedeportes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=53068"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alofokedeportes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=53068"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}