The U-23 Women's Youth National Team, operated by the United States Soccer Federation, develops young players for the U.S. women's national soccer team (USWNT). It seeks to bridge the gap between college soccer and the USWNT, and functions as a development partner with the National Women's Soccer League.
In response to FIFA's decision to shift its oldest youth world championship from Under-19s to Under-20s and a change in the Nordic Cup competition that became a U-23 event, the team transitioned from Under-21 to Under-23 in 2008. Following the conclusion of the Nordic Cup in 2009, the U.S. U-23s have engaged in various international competitions, primarily in Spain and Scandinavia. In recent years, they have participated in an NWSL preseason tournament in Portland, where they compete in three games against NWSL clubs.
Contents
History
Beginnings as a U-20 program
The United States U-23 team has been active since 1989, however it was run as a U-20 team from its inception until 1998. Its main goal was to prepare college players for the step up to international soccer. Women had no viable opportunities to enhance their playing abilities, aside from overseas, since the United States lacked a top-level domestic league during this time.
The switch to U-21
In 1998, United States Soccer Federation decided to make the team a U-21 team in order to give women a higher level of play to better prepare them for the full National Team. In accordance with this strategy, the U-21 team frequently rostered "over-aged" players in the U-21 training camps, as well as the Nordic Cup. It remained a U-21 team from 1998 through 2008.
Competing as a U-23 team
2008 saw the change of the U.S.'s oldest youth national team moved to the U-23 level. The move was made by the United States Soccer Federation in response to age-level changes FIFA had made to its oldest women's youth competition, now named FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup. The age limit was raised from being a U-19 tournament to a U-20 tournament. This change, coupled with a newly introduced U-23 age limit to the Nordic Cup, prompted the USSF to rethink and eventually change the youth development team. The team continues to serve as a stepping-stone for collegiate and post-collegiate players to the United States Women's National Team. Additionally, many U-23 players develop further through the National Women's Soccer League. While many of the post-collegiate players play in this league to develop their game, the U-23's turned focus on college players who are out of season and may not yet be NWSL-eligible.
Results and schedule
The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.
2025
Legend
Win
Draw
Lose
Fixture
2026
Legend
Win
Draw
Lose
Fixture
Players
Current squad
24 players were named to the squad in October 2026 friendlies.
Caps and goals are current as of April 10, 2026, after match against Netherlands.
Recent call-ups
The following players were also named to a squad within the last 12 months.
June 2026 friendlies.
April 2026 friendlies.
February/March 2026 training camp.
January 2026 Development Camp.
November/December 2025 friendlies.
October 2025 training camp.
This list may be incomplete.
Notes
INJ - Injury
PRE - Withdrawal prior to camp
Coaches
Jerry Smith (2001–2002)
Chris Petrucelli (2003–2004)
Jill Ellis (2005–2006)
Bill Irwin (2007–2011)
Randy Waldrum (2012–2013)
Steve Swanson (2013–2014)
Janet Rayfield (2015–2016)
Laura Harvey (2017)
B. J. Snow (2017–2019)
Matt Potter (2020–2022)
Jené Baclawski (2022)
Carrie Kveton (2023)
Margueritte Aozasa (2023)
Heather Dyche (2025–present)