'Cemented this in U.S. Soccer history' - Ally Sentnor and U20 squad's miracle World Cup run showcases future of USWNT

In sports there are improbable comebacks, and then there are miracles.

At the quarterfinals of the U20 Women’s World Cup Sunday in Colombia, the U.S. needed a miracle. Down 2-0 against Germany heading into the 97th minute, it appeared as though the team has exhausted all hope after just eight minutes of stoppage time had been initially allotted. But the Americans wouldn’t be bested just yet.

Florida State star Jordynn Dudley sent one home in the 98th minute. Consolation goal? Not good enough. With time ticking – reminder, just eight minutes of stoppage time – the U.S. found a miracle equalizer less than 90 seconds later from 2024 NWSL first-overall draft pick Ally Sentnor.

It was a sequence seemingly heard around the world as the USWNT’s U20 squad made one of the greatest comebacks in youth soccer history. The team would go on to win the match in penalty kicks and advance to the semifinals, where they will play the Republic of Korea.

“That was one of the craziest matches ever played in my life,” Sentnor said postgame. “And like I said, so proud. I’m so happy we’ve cemented this in U.S. Soccer history and we’re just trying to follow in the footsteps of the full team and really just make them proud, make U.S. Soccer proud, and make USA as a country proud.”

The roster is made up of a mix of college stars and young pros, with Sentnor, a former star at North Carolina. Sentnor was drafted by the Utah Royals in December of last year. Other NWSL youth standouts include: Gisele Thompson, who made history when she signed with Angel City FC; Bay FC’s Savy King; Kansas City’s Claire Hutton; North Carolina Courage’s Riley Jackson; Ally Lemos of the Orlando Pride; and Emeri Adames and Jordyn Bugg of Seattle Reign.

Others hail from some of the most prestigious collegiate programs in the country, from Florida State to Stanford, Penn State and Princeton.

Postgame, head coach Tracey Kevins appeared almost speechless.

“No words. No words,” she said. “Most surprised I’ve ever been. I swear to God. Two-nil down with a minute and a half to go. And we said it at the team talk, this crest is so much bigger than all of us. It gives you a superpower. And, my god, you’ve used every bit of that tonight.”

Cal’s Teagan Wy has been the goalkeeper for the USWNT U20 team in this tournament, at times making improbable saves that have kept the U.S. fighting for gold. After losing 1-0 to Spain to begin group play, they rattled off consecutive wins over Morocco (2-0), Paraguay (7-0) and Mexico (3-2).

Princeton junior Pietra Tordin has been leading the team in scoring with a hat trick against Paraguay and another goal against Mexico. Her four goals are the most of any American player in a U-20 WWC since 2012. She also became the fifth American to score a hat trick at the U-20 World Cup and the first since Savannah DeMelo in 2018.

Sentnor trails her with three goals herself – including the game-saver and a penalty in the shootout. The team’s grit and fight all tournament has been promising for the next wave of the USWNT. Gisele Thompson, the younger sister of Alyssa Thompson, is a promising defender who is gaining valuable professional experience well before any potential World Cup or Olympic call-ups at the age of 18.

Others, such as Lemos, have grown up in the youth system and won national championships in college. Defensive midfielder Claire Hutton – who has started in every single Current game as a rookie – has received high praise from Kansas City coach Vlatko Andonovski, who said that he feels like a senior call-up is imminent.

“She’s a player that is not just going to represent this team, but also a player that is ready to represent this country as well,” Andonovski said. “I think she has to take the right steps, but I would be shocked if she wasn't on the team. She is a seasoned pro, she starts, contributes, and makes us better every match.”

Tordin has come on a little bit slower to the USWNT’s youth system, earning her first USWNT youth call-up at the beginning of this year to the U20 team. Also holding Brazilian citizenship and having played for their U20 team, she’s made the most of her 11 appearances with the USWNT, scoring six total goals. (So if the USWNT hasn’t locked her down already, they might want to). T

Thompson, Hutton, Bugg, Jackson and Adames all signed with pro contracts as high schoolers, and it’s shown as they’ve played in this tournament. Adames tied a U.S. record – with USWNT legend Heather O’Reilly – for the most assists in a single U20 WWC match against Paraguay when she set up three of the team’s first four goals. No U.S. player has had three assists in a U20 World Cup tournament since Sam Mewis did so in 2012.

It’s an impressive group when you stack them up against history, and makes for a promising future of the USWNT. They’ll play the Republic of Korea on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. ET in the first of two semifinals.