Club Standouts Make World Cup Debuts

by Travis Clark

July 25, 2023

Players featured in this article:

Casey Phair | 2026

F | Angel City FC

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While it is certainly an impressive accomplishment for any U.S.-based club soccer standout to reach a World Cup, it's only part of the equation. Getting on the field is another matter.

PDA forward Casey Phair became the latest to make her debut in Australia. The 2026 graduate, who made the South Korean World Cup roster, entered as a substitute in Monday's 2-0 defeat against Colombia.

16-year-old Casey Phair becomes the youngest-ever player in history to play at the FIFA Women's World Cup! 🇰🇷 pic.twitter.com/S8ukNYUUlk
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 25, 2023

She hasn't been the only club player to see minutes in competitive matches. Solai Washington, another top recruit from 2024, entered as a substitue for Jamaica in a massive 0-0 draw against France. Washington was named the State HS Player of the Year for Georgia by Gatorade earlier this year and plays for Concorde Fire.

17-year-old Solai Washington makes her way onto the pitch for the Reggae Girlz 🇯🇲 pic.twitter.com/616v3rgY9E
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 23, 2023

Before she steps on campus this fall at West Virginia(w), Isabella Flanigan will have nearly 30 full national team caps for the Philippines under her belt. She's made a pair of sub appearances so far at this tournament. She previously played at Montverde Academy in Florida, and is originally from West Virginia. The Philippines defeated host side New Zealand by a 1-0 score.