Ajax coach Hesterine de Reus said midfielder Lily Yohannes had endured a “tough week” due to social media reaction to her decision to declare her allegiance to the U.S. women’s national team rather than the Netherlands.
The 17-year-old was born in Springfield, Virginia, but was eligible for both the USWNT and Netherlands as she has lived in the European nation since she was 10 years old.
However, she announced on Monday that she had chosen to play for Emma Hayes’ Olympic gold medalists, which De Reus said had led to negativity online.
“The comments you then see on social media also do something,” she said after Yohannes’ goal gave Ajax a 1-0 victory over FC Utrecht in the Dutch Vrouwen Eredivisie. “It was a tough week for her, but I think she is a very mature soccer player. She handled it very well.”
The Ajax coach said she was less worried about the reaction to her decision than the impact the extra travel may have on the teenager.
“She handles that very well,” she said of the negative feedback. “The concern is more with playing international games, because it means she may have to travel long distances. That takes risk for the cruciate ligament injury. That’s what I and the medical staff are more concerned about.”
Yohannes has already made her debut for the USWNT in June 2024, scoring in the SheBelieves Cup game against South Korea within 10 minutes to become the third youngest goal scorer in USWNT history.
As the games in that tournament are deemed by FIFA to be friendlies, Yohannes would still have been able to represent the Dutch for the rest of her career.
“I’m happy with the choice. I lived there until I was 10 and everything feels right,” Yohannes told ESPN after her winning goal Saturday. “It is very beautiful. I had a good time in America. It’s my native country.
“I’m glad I made my choice. I’ve already been to training camp twice with the team and had a great time there. The girls are fun. The team is super successful.”
Yohannes could be thrust into meeting with the country she now calls home when the USWNT faces the Netherlands in a friendly in the Hague on Dec. 3.
“We will see. Soon the selection should be known,” she said. “I hope to help the team soon and work hard to earn my spot.”
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