When Vlatko Andonovski released his roster for the U.S. women’s national team friendlies at England and Spain, there was one name that may not have been familiar to casual U.S. fans: Alyssa Thompson.
But if Thompson can become as good as many think she can be, that should change in a hurry.
The 17-year-old forward became the youngest player called into the USWNT in more than five years after she impressed with the U.S. Under-20 team in 2022.
“We’re very excited about her potential and her qualities, and looking forward to seeing how she’s going to turn out in our environment,” Andonovski told the media after Thompson’s call-up.
Thompson’s path to prominence is notable, as in addition to playing with U.S. youth national teams and the pro-am Santa Clarita Blue Heat, she also plays on a U-17 Total Futbol Academy boys’ team in MLS NEXT.
“The speed of play is very quick and if you don’t pass the ball, the boys are on you,” Thompson told GOAL in August. “They give you no time. It’s either you get hurt, or you have a good touch and pass it around.
“That’s definitely something I’ve learned and taken into the girls’ game as well, which is so helpful, because it’s just easier to scan the field.”
Thompson was named the Gatorade National Girls’ Soccer Player of the Year for 2020-21, and will play at Stanford University starting in fall 2023. By the time she starts college, Thompson could have several USWNT caps under her belt.
Though Thompson is listed as a forward, Andonovski envisions her filling a multitude of roles for the national team.
“Alyssa is a very creative player with a very good understanding of the game,” Andonovski said. “We think that she has the ability to play as a winger but not a classic winger just on the side. She does have a very good understanding of how to come into the next channel, the inside channel and expose teams in those areas.”
With 10 months to go until the World Cup begins, Thompson appears to have enough of a runway to challenge for the roster. Andonovski tried to play down any expectations for Thompson heading into her first senior camp, but she didn’t get called in over the likes of established stars like Midge Purce for nothing.
The sky seems to be the limit for the USWNT’s newest teenage arrival.
“For Alyssa this camp is not make or break. It’s a first experience for her, it’s something that she shouldn’t even worry about,” Andonovski said. “I think it’s great experience, great exposure for her. And it’s a good experience for us to have an opportunity to work with her. What happens from there, we’ll see.”
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