ALGECIRAS, Spain (June 5, 2026) – The U.S. U-20 Women’s National Team put together one of the most impressive results in recent Youth National Team history, defeating the France Under-23 WNT, 5-0, in the first of two matches between the teams in Spain.
The USA started a lineup of five college players and six NWSL professionals with Houston Dash attacking midfielder Linda Ullmark scoring three consecutive goals, those coming in the third minute, the first minute of first half stoppage time and then four minutes into the second half.
San Diego Wave midfielder Melanie Barcenas made it 4-0 in the 79th minute University of Washington forward Alex Buck added a final goal in the final minute of regulation time. Buck came on at halftime, and Barcenas was a 63rd minute substitute. Buck also had an assist on Ullmark’s third goal.
The USA is in Spain preparing 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 USA will play France again on June 8. This France side features eight players in the Under-23 age group.
The U.S. roster features 10 college players and 10 professional players, all from the National Women’s Soccer League. Most of the NWSL players have been seeing quality minutes with their clubs 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, midfielders Nyanya Touray and Kimmi Ascanio, who were born in 2008.
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.
Match: United States U-20 Women's National Team vs. France U-23 Women’s National Team
Date: June 5, 2026
Competition: International Friendly
Venue: Estadio Nuevo Mirador; Algeciras, Spain
Weather: 78 degrees, sunny
| Scoring Summary | 1 | 2 | F |
| USA | 2 | 3 | 5 |
| FRA | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| USA – Linda Ullmark (Nyanya Touray) | 3rd minute |
| USA – Linda Ullmark (Micayla Johnson) | 45+1 |
| USA – Linda Ullmark (Alex Buck) | 49 |
| USA – Melancie Barcenas | 79 |
| USA – Alex Buck (Kennedy Fuller) | 90 |
Lineups:
USA: 1-Caroline Birkel; 3-Emma Johnson (14-Aven Alvarez, 46), 5-Lizzie Boamah, 4-Ella Bard (17-Kiara Gilmore, 73), 2-Katie Scott (18-Hope Munson, 63); 10-Kennedy Fuller (Capt.), 6-Ainsley McCammon (19-Y-Lan Nguyen, 63), 11-Emeri Adames, 20-Nyanya Touray (15-Alex Buck, 46); 9-Micayla Johnson (13-Melanie Barcenas, 63), 8-Linda Ullmark (16-Onyeka Gamero, 73)
Subs not used: 12-Evan O’Steen, 7-Kimmi Ascanio
Head Coach: Vicky Jepson
FRA: 16-Elisa Gautier; 13-Celia Delaby (12-Celestine Boisard, 61), 15-Taeryne Job (2-Celeste Delcroix, 61), 5-Eden Le Guilly (Capt.), 17-Laureen Oillic (4-Aude Bizet, 74), 20-Charline Coutel (18-Clara Bertrand, 74), 19-Landryna Lushimba Bilombi, 6-Elisa Rambaud (3-Julierre Mossard, 61), 11-Stana Chossenotte (10-Melinda Mendy, 61); 9-Chancelle Effa Effa (21-Kadidia Traore, 69), 22-Lola Gstalter
Subs not used: N/A
Head Coach: Fabien Lefevre
Stats Summary: USA / FRA
Shots: 17 / 2
Shots on Goal: 10 / 1
Saves: 1 / 5
Corner Kicks: 4 / 1
Fouls: 2 / 10
Offside: 4 / 1
| Misconduct Summary | |
| USA – Linda Ullmark (Caution) | 61st minute |
Officials:
Referee: Ildefonso Enrique Cozar Andrades
Assistant Referee 1: Francisco Javier Rojas Jimenez
Assistant Referee 2: Antonio Sibajas Ortega
Fourth Official: David Peralta Godoy