CARY, N.C. (Aug. 8, 2022) – North Carolina Courage midfielder Riley Jackson has been named one of the 21 players to represent the United States at the 2024 FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia, running from August 31 to September 22. Under-20 Women’s Youth National Team head coach Tracey Kevins announced the roster on Thursday.
Jackson is one of eight professional players currently in the National Women’s Soccer League on the roster. The eight pros are the most for a U.S. team in a FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup. Players born on or after Jan. 1, 2004, are age-eligible for the World Cup. The USA roster features 13 players born in 2004, Jackson is one of four born in 2005, and four born in 2006. Jackson scored her first professional goal with a stoppage-time equalizer against Racing Louisville FC in group play of the 2024 NWSL x Liga Mx Femenil Summer Cup last month. She’s appeared in 13 regular season games, including one start, for 176 minutes so far in her rookie season. She’s passing at 82% with nine tackles and 21 duels won plus a shot on target. Ten of the 20 players who helped the USA qualify for this World Cup in the spring of 2023 at the Concacaf Women’s U-20 Championship made the World Cup roster. “We couldn’t be more excited to have this group of young and talented players represent us at the U-20 Women’s World Cup,” said Kevins. “We are grateful to the NWSL clubs and colleges that collaborated with us on the release of their players to provide them with the unique opportunity to represent their country on the biggest international stage for their age group.”
2024 FIFA U.S. U-20 Women’s World Cup Roster by Position (College or Club; Hometown; U-20 Caps/Goals)
GOALKEEPERS (3): Caroline Birkel (St. Louis Scott Gallagher; St. Louis, Mo.; 0), Mackenzie Gress (Penn State; Lyndhurst, N.J.; 5), Teagan Wy (California; Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.; 8)
DEFENDERS (6): Jordyn Bugg (Seattle Reign; El Cajon, Calif.; 12/0), Elise Evans (Stanford; Redwood City, Calif.; 12/0), Heather Gilchrist (Florida State, Boulder, Colo.; 6/0), Savy King (Bay FC; West Hills, Calif.; 12/0), Leah Klenke (Notre Dame; Houston, Texas; 11/0), Gisele Thompson (Angel City FC; Studio City, Calif.; 7/1)
MIDFIELDERS (6): Sam Courtwright (Texas Tech; Dallas, Texas; 8/0), Claire Hutton (Kansas City Current; Bethlehem, N.Y.; 5/0), Riley Jackson (North Carolina Courage; Roswell, Ga.; 8/1), Ally Lemos (Orlando Pride; Glendora, Calif.; 13/1), Yuna McCormack (Virginia; Mill Valley, Calif.; 0/0), Taylor Suarez (Florida State; Charlotte, N.C.; 8/1)
FORWARDS (6): Emeri Adames (Seattle Reign; Red Oak, Texas; 6/1), Maddie Dahlien (North Carolina; Edina, Minn.; 8/4), Jordynn Dudley (Florida State; Milton, Ga.; 9/3), Giana Riley (Florida State; Manteca, Calif.; 8/1), Ally Sentnor (Utah Royals; Hanson, Mass.; 16/9), Pietra Tordin (Princeton; Miami, Fla.; 7/2)
