The US is off to a shaky start, dropping Sunday’s 2026 U-20 World Cup opener 2-1 to Italy despite outplaying the Azzurre in the attacking third.
Former U-17 star Micayla Johnson (Chicago) struck first, tapping in an 18th-minute cross from Emeri Adames (Seattle). Johnson subsequently became the first US player to score in three straight youth WWCs.
Two scrappy Italy goals erased the lead, putting the USWNT’s shot at winning its first U-20 World Cup title since 2012 in question.
Last month’s roster drop raised concerns about the future of US Soccer. Club commitments left top eligible players like Claire Hutton and Lily Yohannes off the lineup.
“I am sending a warning sign,” senior team coach Emma Hayes told ESPN. “I am massively worried about the direction for, and the lack of all of those experiences for American players.”
The US tries to climb the Group D ranks today, facing Japan at 12 PM ET (FS2).
