U.S. Soccer Announces Trio of WYNT Hires

by Travis Clark

May 10, 2023

The U.S. Soccer Federation continued to build out its coaching staff for the Women's Youth National Teams over the past week.

Katie Schoepfer was announced as the new head coach of the U.S. Under-17 WNT. She moves up an age group after serving as the U15 GNT head coach since November 2021. Ciara Crinion was named as the new full-time head coach of the U15 GNT, taking over from Schoepfer.

“We’re excited to see Katie build on her success with the U-15s as she moves up to the U-17 age group and to welcome Ciara to the Women’s Youth National Team coaching staff,” USWNT General Manager Kate Markgraf said in a statement. “We’ve been impressed by Katie’s growth as a coach since joining the Federation, and she’s ready to continue guiding players through our pipeline and to the next U17 Women’s World Cup. Ciara has been rising through the ranks of the college game and we know she will contribute greatly to the players’ experiences in this important age group at the start of our National Team pathway.”

Guiding our players through their first steps in the 🔴, ⚪️ & 🔵

Welcome Ciara Crinion, our new #U15WYNT head coach! 👋
— U.S. Soccer YNT (@USYNT) May 4, 2023

Schoepfer takes over as U-17 WYNT head coach after leading the USA to a first place finish at the 2022 Concacaf Girls’ U15 Championship. She replaces Natalia Astrain, who has moved on from U.S. Soccer. Crinion served as head coach at Seton Hall from 2019-22

On Tuesday, U.S. Soccer appointed Carrie Kveton as the new head coach of the U.S. Under-19 WNT. Kveton will join U.S. Soccer from FC Nordsjaelland, where she serves as Head of Individual Player Development and U-18 women’s head coach. Back in 2021, she was an assistant coach for the Washington Spirit, departing in July 2021 to head back to Denmark.

“We’re excited to welcome Carrie to our full-time Women’s Youth National Team coaching staff,” Markgraf said in a press release. “She brings a wealth of experience at top clubs abroad and in NWSL, as well as a strong background in youth development. We’ve been impressed with her work at previous U.S. Soccer training camps and we’re confident she can help our top talents take the next step in their careers.”

A breadth of experience at home and abroad 🇺🇸🌎

Welcome Carrie Kveton, our new #U19WYNT head coach! She joins U.S. Soccer after several years at top clubs in Denmark ⤵️
— U.S. Soccer YNT (@USYNT) May 9, 2023