Lily Yohannes, that 19-year-old midfielder for Lyon, is absolutely crushing it and has snatched a starting spot in the No. 10 role. This isn’t just a big deal for Lyon, who are always chasing that Women’s Champions League trophy, it’s a massive signal for the USWNT, who need to be watching her every move with the Women’s World Cup coming up next summer. The stakes are already sky-high for this kid!
Yohannes’s Rise: From Role Player to Key Starter
This kid, she made the move from Ajax to Lyon last year, and head coach Jonatan Giraldez has been slowly bringing her into the squad. It totally reminds you of how Emma Hayes works with the USWNT, being patient and building players up. Last season, Yohannes was averaging 59 minutes per game in the Premiere Ligue. Good, but not starter-level consistent. But this season? She’s already got two starts in two games, right in that critical No. 10 spot. That position was held by her international teammate Lindsey Heaps before Heaps left for the NWSL’s Denver Summit in the summer. Yohannes has a shot to prove she’s not just the future of the USWNT, she’s the present. Her game at Servette on Wednesday is huge. It’s a perfect chance for her to keep building towards a sizable role at a title-chasing Lyon, which is exactly the kind of prep the USWNT wants to see if they’re going to qualify for Brazil next summer.
UWCL Powerhouses and American Ambition
Seriously, the Women’s Champions League is already delivering with competitive matches. Manchester City and Arsenal had to fight for their points on Tuesday, teasing some intense action for Wednesday’s games when the real heavy-hitters jump in. We’re talking OL Lyonnes and Chelsea here, teams that *always* find themselves chasing that title. Lyon is itching to dethrone Barcelona, man. They want to hoist that trophy for the first time in five years, you know? That’s a long drought for a team like Lyon! And then there’s Chelsea, who are still hoping to finally snag Europe’s top prize for the first time ever. Can you imagine that kind of pressure? There’s this undeniable buzz this season, especially around the American players tearing it up in Europe. If they light it up over here, they’re not just getting minutes, they’re grabbing crucial roles for a team with serious aspirations of winning the Women’s World Cup next summer. Beyond Yohannes’s big match, Wednesday also sees Barcelona face Paris FC, Chelsea challenge Austria Wien, and OH Leuven take on Roma. It’s a packed day for the UWCL.
Sounders Tonight: Keep that Emerald City Energy Flowing
And hey, while Europe is doing its thing, our own Seattle Sounders are playing Real Salt Lake tonight, Wednesday, September 23rd at 9:30 p.m. You can catch that one on Apple TV. We need those points, especially with the international break hitting! Keep that Emerald City energy flowing for the boys! The Champions League is just kicking off, and the stakes for these American stars are already sky-high. Can Lily Yohannes lock down that starting spot and become a USWNT fixture? We’re watching.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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