USWNT midfielder Lily Yohannes announced her arrival on the Champions League stage with an extraordinary long-range strike for OL Lyonnes, scoring from 57 yards in a commanding 3-0 victory over Austrian side St. Pölten on Wednesday. The 18-year-old scored her first Champions League goal just hours after being named to Emma Hayes' USWNT roster.
Getty Images SportA moment of pure inspiration
Standing near the halfway line at Groupama Stadium, Yohannes appeared to be surveying her passing options as OL Lyonnes built another attack against St. Pölten. Instead, the teenage midfielder spotted goalkeeper Schlüter slightly off her line.
Without hesitation, Yohannes unleashed a powerful right-footed strike that traveled 57 yards before dipping perfectly under the crossbar and into the net. The audacious strike came in the 51st minute with Lyonnes already leading 2-0, effectively ending any hopes of an Austrian comeback.
AdvertisementWatch the videoFrom American prodigy to European star
Yohannes developed through Ajax's youth system and made history in November 2023 when, at just 16, she became the youngest player to start a Women's Champions League group stage match. Her performances in the Netherlands earned her a high-profile transfer to eight-time Champions League winners OL Lyonnes this past summer.
Getty Images SportPerfect timing
Just hours before kickoff, Yohannes was included on Emma Hayes' 26-player USWNT roster for the upcoming October international window. The U.S. will play Portugal on Oct. 23 and Oct. 26, followed by a match against New Zealand on Oct. 29.
