Vicky Jepson has her 21. But the players who didn't make the U.S. under-20 Women's World Cup roster tell you as much about this squad as the ones who did.
San Diego Wave forward Melanie Barcenas — four goals this NWSL season, called into U-20 camp as recently as June — isn't going to Poland. Neither is Bay FC's Onyeka Gamero, who was loaned out to USL Super League side Dallas Trinity last week, or Seattle Reign center back Jordyn Bugg, who has six senior USWNT caps to her name. Jepson wouldn't say which clubs blocked releases, only that "there's nothing we can do about that."
Clubs hold the cards — and some used them
Here's the structural problem: the U-20 World Cup falls outside FIFA's international windows, meaning clubs are under zero obligation to let players go. Jepson had to phone each of the 21 selected players' clubs or universities and essentially ask nicely. Some said yes. Some said no. The ones who said no don't have to explain themselves publicly.
Racing Louisville released forward Audrey McKeen. The Houston Dash released midfielder Linda Ullmark — seven caps, six goals for the U-20s, she's arguably the most dangerous attacker in this squad. Stanford, Penn State, and UNC each sent multiple players. The college programs, by and large, played ball.
The NWSL clubs? More complicated. Losing a player for a month mid-season is a real ask, especially with playoff positioning on the line. That's the tension Jepson is navigating, and it directly shaped the final 21.
The squad and what to expect in Group D
The roster breaks down as eight professionals and 13 college players. Seattle Reign contribute three players — goalkeeper Evan O'Steen, midfielder Ainsley McCammon, and forward Emeri Adames. Bay FC's Kennedy Fuller, eight caps and two goals, anchors the midfield alongside Ullmark.
The U.S. land in Group D alongside Japan, New Zealand, and Italy. Their opener is against Italy on September 6 at noon ET — a winnable match on paper, but Italy's defensive structure makes clean sheets difficult to manufacture. Anyone pricing USA to top the group should note that Japan, with their typical U-20 technical discipline, could complicate things before the knockouts.
North Korea are the reigning champions, a fact that tends to get lost in the noise around this tournament.
The full 21-player roster:
- Goalkeepers: Caroline Birkel (Stanford), Evan O'Steen (Seattle Reign FC), Kealey Titmuss (Penn State)
- Defenders: Aven Alvarez (UNC), Ella Bard (Louisville), Lizzie Boamah (Stanford), Pearl Cecil (Virginia), Emma Johnson (Penn State), Hope Munson (UNC), Katie Scott (Kansas City Current)
- Midfielders: Kennedy Fuller (Bay FC), Lily Joseph (Notre Dame), Ainsley McCammon (Seattle Reign FC), Y-Lan Nguyen (Stanford), Nyanya Touray (Florida State), Linda Ullmark (Houston Dash)
- Forwards: Emeri Adames (Seattle Reign FC), Alex Buck (Washington), Micayla Johnson (Chicago Stars FC), Audrey McKeen (Racing Louisville FC), Sealey Strawn (UNC)
Jepson called all 55 players on the provisional list personally to deliver the news — those selected and those left out. "I think that's respectful that they hear from me in person rather than via an email," she said. It's a small thing, but in a process with this many moving parts and difficult conversations, it matters.
The tournament kicks off September 5. Whether the squad Jepson actually wanted is the one she's got is a question only the clubs who said no can answer.
