U.S. Under-20 Women's National Team Defeats France U-23 WNT, 2-1, in Second of Two Matches in Spain
Chicago Stars Forward Micayla Johnson Equalizes and Seattle Reign FC Forward Emeri Adames Scores Game-Winner in 80th Minute
ALGECIRAS, Spain (June 8, 2026) –The U.S. U-20 Women’s National Team won its second consecutive match against the France Under-23 WNT, taking a come-from-behind 2-1 win to cap a training camp in Spain. The victory came off the back of a 5-0 win over France on June 5.
The USA started a lineup of six college players and five NWSL professionals with Chicago Stars attacker Micayla Johnson equalizing in the 66th minute, 10 minutes after France had taken the lead. With the match heading for a draw, Seattle Reign FC winger Emeri Adames scored the game-winner, putting the USA up 2-1 in the 80th minute. The USA outshot France 10-3 and allowed just one shot on goal.
The matches in Spain served as important preparation for the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland. The USA will open the tournament on Sunday, Sept. 6 against Italy (Noon ET / 6 p.m. local), then faces 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup finalists Japan on Wednesday, Sept. 9 (9 a.m. ET / 3 p.m. local) and finishes the group stage vs. New Zealand on Saturday, Sept. 12 (9 a.m. ET / 3 p.m. local). The U.S. will play its first and second group games at Stadion Miejski LKS Lodz in Lodz and its final group game at Arena Sosnowiec in Sosnowiec.
The U.S. roster featured 10 college players and 10 professional players, all from the National Women’s Soccer League. Most of the NWSL players have seen quality minutes with their clubs so far this season.
Ten players on the roster have played in a FIFA World Cup for the USA, either at the U-17 or U-20 level.
The age cut-off for the 2026 FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup is players born on or after Jan. 1, 2006. This roster is made up of 14 players born in 2006, eight born in 2007 and two who were born in 2008 – midfielders Nyanya Touray and Kimmi Ascanio.
These matches were a part of the Federation’s continued focus on the U.S. Way philosophy, which emphasizes increased programming for Youth National Teams to create more opportunities for young players to advance through the pathway to the senior National Team with the goal of representing their country at a world championship.
-U.S. UNDER-20 WOMEN’S NATIONAL TEAM MATCH REPORT-
Match: United States U-20 Women's National Team vs. France U-23 Women’s National Team
Date: June 8, 2026
Competition: International Friendly
Venue: Estadio Nuevo Mirador; Algeciras, Spain
Weather: 83 degrees, sunny
| Scoring Summary | 1 | 2 | F |
| USA | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| FRA | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| FRA – Laureen Oillic | 56th minute |
| USA – Micayla Johnson (Melanie Barcenas) | 66 |
| USA – Emeri Adames (Kennedy Fuller) | 80 |
Lineups:
USA: 12-Evan O’Steen; 14-Aven Alvarez (3-Emma Johnson, 72), 5-Lizzie Boamah, 17-Kiara Gilmore (4-Ella Bard), 18-Hope Munson (2-Katie Scott, 60), 6-Ainsley McCammon, 19-Y-Lan Nguyen (9-Micayla Johnson, 60), 13-Melanie Barcenas, 10-Kennedy Fuller (Capt.), 16-Onyeka Gamero (11-Emeri Adames, 46), 15-Alex Buck (20-Nyanya Touray, 60)
Subs not used: 1-Caroline Birkel, 7-Kimmi Ascanio, 8-Linda Ullmark
Head Coach: Vicky Jepson
FRA: 16-Elisa Gautier; 4-Aude Bizet, 12-Celestine Boisard, 2-Celeste Delcroix (13-Celia Delaby, 54), 14-Tara Elimbi Gilbert (Capt.); 3-Juliette Mossard, 18-Clara Bertrand (20-Charline Coutel, 54), 8-Mariah Gueguen, 10-Melinda Mendy (5-Eden Le Guilly, 54), 21-Kadidia Traore, 7-Naolia Traore
Subs not used: 1-Alyssa Fernandes, 6-Elisa Rambaud, 9-Chancelle Effa Effa, 11-Shana Chossenotte, 15-Taeryne Job, 17-Laureen Oillic, 19-Landryna Lushimba Bilmobi, 22-Lola Gstalter
Head Coach: Fabien Lefevre
Stats Summary: USA / FRA
Shots: 10 / 3
Shots on Goal: 3 / 1
Saves: 0 / 1
Corner Kicks: 4 / 1
Fouls: 6 / 11
Offside: 0 / 1
| Misconduct Summary | |
| USA – Melanie Barcenas (Caution) | 7th minute |
| USA – Emma Johnson (Caution) | 76 |
| FRA – Charline Coutel (Caution) | 83 |
Officials:
Referee: Patricia Luna Varo
Assistant Referee 1: Lucia Fernandez Ocana
Assistant Referee 2: Belen Sanchez Guiterrez
Fourth Official: Noah Sanchez Gonzalez