Coaches are always searching for good combinations, and it was apparent that US soccer found one in pairing the U18 and U17 Women’s National Youth camps together in Carson, CA, last week.

In general, national youth camps are centered on the individual rather than the team. Coaches bring in top talent in order to get a bead on who will be best for future teams and who may not.

Granted, how players fit together is a part of that evaluation process, but because players are out of their element and preoccupied with leaving their mark it doesn’t always make for the best team chemistry.

That’s what made Friday’s scrimmage between the U18s and U17s a unique sight. The match was a source of pride for both teams in what can be described as a kind of friendly sibling rivalry, and it was quite clear that winning was the top priority of everyone involved.

Coach Dave Chesler didn’t feel that his team was able to quite come together to the degree it did in previous scrimmages, but the effort to mesh was palpable as each group was galvanized by the idea of beating the other.

As a result, both “teams” grew a little.
                
“Having them around was great for us,” said Mollie Pathman, of the U18s. “It was really good competition and a great game for us. It took a lot for us to come back in the last few minutes and build together as a team. To get that last goal was hard work, and it showed how much the week brought us together.”

Notice how many times Pathman used the word “us?”

The match that ended in a 1-1 tie was replete with good ball movement and intentions. Even when plays didn’t end positively you could see that each player was trying to make the right play.

For the 17s, Kylie McCarthy, Caprice Dydasco Brooke Gilbert played well together. Goalkeeper Abby Smith was in constant communication with everyone, offering instruction through the entire match.

On the 18s, Hayley Brock, Rachel Nuzzolese, Kaitlyn Fitzpatrick and Pathman were a strong unit together.

These are aspects that are always prevalent at camps, and help coaches get more insight into how a player’s talents can benefit a team.

“Both teams were very motivated and I started to see some small groups that are playing well together,” Chesler said. “It’s a challenge with this (U18) age group because they aren’t building toward a near international event. But you could see them starting to come together.”

Added U17 coach Kaz Tambi: “It was really nice to have them here. It’s good for the girls, and we saw some good things out of them.”

Click here for all our exclusive U17/U18 camp coverage

U.S. U18 WNT Training Camp Roster
GOALKEEPERS (3): Vittoria Arnold (Dallas Texans; Stafford, Va.), Anna Sieloff (Vardar; Troy, Mich.), Sarah Voigt (Ponte Vedra SC; Middleburg, Fla.)

DEFENDERS (8): Torri Allen (Mclean; Stafford, Va.), Elizabeth Eddy (So Cal Blues; Costa Mesa, Calif., Megan Oyster (Windy City Pride; Naperville, Ill.), Mollie Pathman (Triangle FC; Durham, N.C.), Rachel Quon (Eclipse Select; Lake Forrest, Ill.), Kendall Romine (So Cal Blues; Coto de Caza, Calif.), Courtney Smith (Dallas Texans; Houston, Texas), Carrie Whigham (Sereno SC; Phoenix, Ariz.)

MIDFIELDERS (7): Kathryn Bennett (Crossfire; Clyde Hill, Wash.), Alex Crown (Space Coast United; Orlando, Fla.), Kaitlyn Fitzpatrick (San Ramon; Pleasanton, Calif.), Julia Roberts (Mclean; Frederick, Md.), Julia Sandridge (TCSYA Lady Twins; Winston-Salem, N.C.), Annie Steinlage (Michigan Hawks; Grand Haven, Mich.), Rebecca Twining (Challenge SC; Houston, Texas)

FORWARDS (6): Hayley Brock (FC Stars of Mass; Acton, Mass.), Michelle Cruz (Slammers; Thousand Oaks, Calif.); Kylie Facinelli (So Cal Blues; Del Mar, Calif.), Samantha Johnson (Real So Cal; Palmdale, Calif.), Natalia Ledezma (Slammers; La Mirada, Calif.), Rachel Nuzzolese (Rockville Centre; Melville, N.Y.)

U.S. U17 WNT Training Camp Roster
GOALKEEPERS (3): Bryane Heaberlin (Clearwater Chargers; St. Petersburg, Fla.), Molly Poletto (Storm-Copa; Englewood, Colo.), Abby Smith (Dallas Texans 94' Red; Dallas, Texas.)

DEFENDERS (5): Olivia Brannon (Michigan Jags; Troy, Mich.), Whitney Church (Loudoun '91 Real; Ashburn, Va.); Abby Dahlkemper (MVLA Avalanche; Menlo Park, Calif.); Sarah Molina (Ohio Premier; Rocky River, Ohio); Cari Roccaro (Albertson Fury; East Islip, N.Y.)

MIDFIELDERS (11): Morgan Andrews (FC Stars of Massachusetts; Milford, N.H.), Morgan Brian (Ponte Verda Storm; St. Simons Island, Ga.), Kaysie Clark (KC Select Scream; Liberty, Mo.), Alexandra Doll (Bethesda SC Dragons; Bethesda, Md.), Caprice Dydasco (HSC Bulls; Honolulu, Hawaii), Isabel Farrell (Crossfire; Bellevue, Wash.), Jessica Lee (Arsenal Fury; Tenafly, N.J.), Kylie McCarthy (San Diego Surf; Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.) Katie Speidel (Real So Cal G-U16; Oak Park, Calif.), Kaili Torres (PVSA; Orange Park, Fla.), Clarissa Wedemeyer (Dallas Texans; Colleyville, Texas)

FORWARDS (5): Alesha Blair (De Anza Force '92 Blue; Pleasanton, Calif.), Shea Groom (KCFC Alliance Intensity; Liberty, Mo.), Cate Parchinski (Pride Predators '93; Colorado Springs, Co.), Sydney Payne (IMG Soccer Academy U-18; Lutz, Fla.), Courtney Proctor (Santa Clarita United Blazers; Santa Clarita, Calif.)