Lily Yohannes: A Rising Prodigy
At just 17 years old, Lily Yohannes has already made a name for herself on both sides of the Atlantic. In a whirlwind two years, she’s transitioned from joining Ajax to making her debut with the US Women’s National Team. Now, with her sights set on the 2027 Women’s World Cup, Lily reflects on her rising career.
In this exclusive Life After Football interview, Yohannes talks about her young career playing for Ajax Amsterdam and the US women’s national team.
Career and Success
At just 17 years old, you’re not only playing professional football at a top club but also representing your country on the national team. How do you handle the pressure that comes with competing at such a high level at such a young age?
Lily Yohannes: “I think knowing and reminding yourself that you started playing football because you love the game and just knowing that you’re doing something you love makes it easier to not think of anything other than just playing football with joy. I think it’s also very important to have you’re a good support system around you. For me it’s my family, my friends, my coaches, and my teammates. I try to only listen to the voices that matter. Everybody’s gonna have an opinion or something to say, but in the end, you should just listen to the right people that know you the most. It is impossible to try to listen to every opinion so you have to block the noise and try to stay focused on what’s important.”
How has playing in Europe with Ajax helped you grow as a player for international competitions?
“Playing in the Champions League for the first time last season was such an amazing moment. It was a learning experience, playing against the best teams and players in the world pushes your level. Every game you feel like you’re growing, your level is improving, and you just take every single experience with every single game. You feel more comfortable in terms of the tempo, the technical aspect, the physicality. All in all, just helps you grow as a player.”
Yohannes’s journey is a testament to her resilience and passion for football. Born in Springfield, Virginia, she moved to the Netherlands at age 10. She began training with Ajax Amsterdam at 13 and, by 15, signed a three-year professional contract, becoming the youngest player in the club’s history to do so. Her impact was immediate; by 16, she became the youngest player ever to start a UEFA Women’s Champions League group stage match, contributing significantly to Ajax’s 2–0 victory over Paris Saint-Germain.
Throughout the current 2024–25 season, Yohannes is showcasing her versatility and skill, having scored five goals in 17 league appearances and playing a pivotal role in Ajax’s KNVB Women’s Cup triumph. Her stellar performances earned her the Johan Cruyff Talent of the Year award, highlighting her as one of the most promising young talents in Dutch football.
US Women’s National Team
The next Women’s World Cup is in 2027, only two years from now. What would it mean to you, to play on the biggest stage in that competition?
“It would mean everything. Representing my country on the biggest stage is something that I’ve always strived for, since I’ve kicked the ball. To play on the biggest stage for your country means representing something bigger than yourself. I just have to continue working hard every day to make that dream a reality. But I also know I have to be focused in the present.”
Who on the US women’s national team has had the biggest impact on you as a player?
“I think there’s so many players. That whole team of the US women’s national team, throughout history, is just so successful, and I think you look up to every single one of those players. I think me personally as a midfielder, I obviously tend to look at midfielders, so some players who I’ve watched growing up and looked up to are Lindsey Horan, Rose Lavelle, Sam (Samantha) Mewis, Carli Lloyd.”
At just 16, Lily Yohannes became the youngest American to start in a UEFA Women’s Champions League match, showcasing her exceptional talent. Her impressive performances caught the attention of U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT) coach Emma Hayes, leading to her national team debut on June 4, 2024, against South Korea. Coming on as a substitute in the 72nd minute, Yohannes scored her first international goal just 10 minutes later, becoming the third-youngest goal scorer in USWNT history. Her decision to represent the United States, despite opportunities with the Netherlands, has excited fans and highlighted her as a key player for the future of the USWNT.
Yohannes is part of the USWNT roster set to face Brazil in a friendly match on April 8, 2025, at PayPal Park in San Jose, California. The match kicks off at 10:30 PM Eastern Time and is the second in a two-match series against Brazil, following a 2-0 victory for the USWNT on April 5 at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
Yohannes’s inclusion in these high-profile matches underscores her growing importance to the national team as they build towards future competitions.
Curious for more? Read the full interview with Lily Yohannes in our latest issue — Life After Football Magazine, Issue 84.
