U.S. Teen Makes Champions League Debut

by Travis Clark

November 17, 2023

Players featured in this article:

Lily Yohannes | 2025

MF | Ajax

U.S. midfielder Lily Yohannes became the first player born in 2007 to compete in the UEFA Women’s Champions League group stage on Wednesday.

The Virginia native started for Ajax, helping a young Dutch side to a 2-0 win against Paris St. Germain. In a 78-minute shift, the central midfielder showed her ability to link play, particularly on a pass that helped lead up to the game’s first goal.

Tiny Hoekstra cleans up in front of goal and Ajax is ahead 💥

It's a first UWCL goal for the Dutch forward 🇳🇱

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 🎙️ 👉 https://t.co/fkB2fL7wuI
🇫🇷 🎙️ 👉 https://t.co/kmIDk99oO8
🇳🇱 🎙️ 👉 https://t.co/jLUBH0tNKb #UWCLonDAZN pic.twitter.com/Ydw5zMKv4V
— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) November 15, 2023

Ajax is in first place in Group C in the Champions League ahead of AS Roma, Bayern Munich and PSG.

Yohannes, who signed a first-team contract with the Dutch power back in January, has made 10 appearances for Ajax in all competitions at this stage of the 2023-24 season. She has played almost 800 minutes, helping Ajax reach the group stage of the Women’s Champions League for the first time in club history. Last weekend, Yohannes was named Player of the Match after Ajax's 5-2 win against FC Utrecht on November 5.

Her Ajax side topped a PSG team that feature 2022 TDS College Player of the Year Korbin Albert, who was part of Notre Dame last fall. Yohannes was called into U15 and U16 national team camps in 2022.

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