CARSON, CALIFORNIA - The United States U18 Women’s National Team is holding a week-long training camp at the Home Depot Center.

After couple of days teaching the principals of defending, Head Coach April Heinrichs allowed the 24 girls here to play in small-sided workouts Monday afternoon rather than practicing strict mechanics.

“At this age group in particular there a lot of demands to these girls in terms of all the events they travel to, and most of them come very fatigued” she said. “So today we set them loose to get some shots on goal, get some touches. It was fun and easy.”

The U.S. players followed a drill to improve their first touch with some exercises designed to develop a sense for one-two passes (offense vs. defense). The day ended with a short-field 5v5 game with players on the perimeter, assisting each side, with players swapping roles througout.

It was a display of the fluidity the team is developing from this training camp, which Heinrichs admits is a more of an “educational” endeavor.

“We are using this camp completely as developmental. To see what’s the best for the player,” she said. “And they are coming along nicely. Our flat backs now look flat, and our front runners know where to pressure and how to relate to the back four.”

The camp will continue with emphasis on attacking and set pieces, and will conclude with a scrimmage Friday evening.

U.S. U-18 WNT Roster By Position (Courtesy of U.S. Soccer):

GOALKEEPERS (3): Caroline Casey (Virginia Rush; Chesapeake, Va.), Katelyn Rowland (San Juan; Vacaville, Calif.), Caroline Stanley (KCFC Intensity; Kansas City, Mo.).

DEFENDERS (5): Stephanie Amack (Mustang Blast; Pleasanton, Calif.), Laura Liedle (San Diego Surf; San Diego, Calif.), Margo McGinty (Albertson Fury; Levittown, N.Y.), Katie Naughton (Sockers FC; Arlington Heights, Ill.), Cari Roccaro (Albertson Fury; East Islip, N.Y.)

MIDFIELDERS (11): Kori Chapic (Cleveland Cobras; Russell, Ohio), Kaysie Clark (KCFC Intensity; Liberty, Mo.), Caprice Dydasco (Honolulu Bulls SC; Honolulu, Hawaii), Isabel Farrell (Crossfire; Bellevue, Wash.), Caroline Lindquist (Spartan Elite; Raleigh, N.C.), Ashley Meier (Cleveland Whitecaps; Strongsville, Ohio), Kate Speidel (Real So Cal; Oak Park, Calif.), Ashley Spivey (Baltimore Bays; Baltimore, Md.), Quynh Truong (Solar Red; Fort Worth, Texas), Danielle Weatherholt (So Cal Blues; Capistrano Beach, Calif.), Sandra Yu (Cleveland Futbol; Strongsville, Ohio)

FORWARDS (5): MaKenzy Doniak (Slammers FC; Chino Hills, Calif.), Anna Maria Gilbertson (Davis Legacy; Davis, Calif.), Kodi Lavrusky (Legends FC; Yucaipa, Calif.), Anna McClung (GSA Phoenix; Gate City, Va.), Kristen McNabb (PDA; Montville, N.J.)