U.S. Under-19 Women's National Team Rolls to 3-0 Win Over Wales in Portugal
Rylee McLanahan, Ashlyn Puerta and Mia Townes Tally for the USA
AVEIRO, PORTUGAL (March 2, 2026) – The U.S. Under-19 Women’s National Team rolled to its second win in as many matches during a training camp in Portugal, taking down Wales 3-0 on goals from forwards Rylee McLanahan, Ashlyn Puerta and Mia Townes.
The USA beat Czechia 2-0 on Feb. 27 and will finish the trip against host Portugal on March 6. These are the first international matches of 2026 for this group of players, 15 of which were born in 2007 and five who were born in 2008.
The first goal came just 13 minutes into the match when Puerta, the leading scorer in the USL Super League for Sporting Jax, cut across the top of the penalty area after receiving a flick from McLanahan, and in stride,smacked a shot with the outside of her foot, sending a beautiful curler to the into bottom left corner of the net just outside of the goalkeeper’s reach.
Just before halftime, the USA made it 2-0 after midfielder Nyanya Touray was fouled in the penalty box during a corner kick play. McLanahan converted the spot kit to send the young Americans into halftime with a two-goal lead.
The USA put the game away in the 76th minute when Townes, who scored five goals at the 2024 Concacaf Women’s U-17 Championship, delivered a quick strike from in front of the goal off a great setup from Avery Oder after an attacking down the left side.
The USA outshot Wales 15-3 and Daphne Nakfoor made one save to earn the shutout in goal.
Players born on or after Jan. 1, 2006, are age-eligible for next year’s 2026 FIFA Women’s U-20 World Cup in Poland, meaning all 20 players in camp are training and playing for a shot at that tournament.
These matches are part of the Federation’s continued focus on the U.S. Way philosophy, which emphasizes increased programming for Youth National Teams to create more opportunities for young players to advance through the pathway to the senior National Team with the goal of representing their country at a world championship.
--U.S. Under-19 Women's National Team Match Report--
Match: United States U-19 Women’s National Team v Wales U-19 Women’s National Team
Date: March 2, 2026
Competition: International Friendly
Venue: Estadio Municipal de Aveiro; Aveiro, Portugal
Weather: Cloudy, 58 degrees
| Scoring Summary | 1 | 2 | F |
| USA | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| WAL | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| USA – Ashlyn Puerta (Rylee McLanahan) | 13th minute |
| USA – Rylee McLanahan (Penalty Kick) | 42 |
| USA – Mia Townes (Avery Oder) | 76 |
USA: 12-Daphne Nakfoor; 3-Jocelyn Travers, 2-Isabelle Devey (13-Madeline Herniter, 46), 4-Ella Bard (Capt.) (15-Edra Bello, 60), 5-Pearl Cecil; 6-Nyanya Touray (16-Riley Cross, 70), 7-Micayla Johnson (17-Sariyah Bailey, 46), 8-Kennedy Ring (18-Keira Kemmerley, 60); 19-Rylee McLanahan (9-Lauren Malsom, 60), 10-Ashlyn Puerta (20-Mya Townes, 45), 11-Sealey Strawn (14-Avery Oder, 46)
Subs not used: 1-Evan O’Steen
Head Coach: Carrie Kveton
WAL: 1-Soffia Kelly, 2-Lucy Day, 3-Teagan Scarlett (13-Emily Cole, 10, 20-Ania Denham, 82), 4-Charlotte Underwood, 5-Cadi Rodgers, 6-Elena Cole, 7- Ffion Bowen (17-Nia Lewis, 82), 8-Amelie Curtis (10-Keira O’Keefe, 66), 11-Casi Gregson (19-Darcy Lancaster, 66), 16-Shurima Vine, 18-Scarlett Hill
Subs not used: 9-Poppy Holt, 12-Cadi Doran, 14-Charotte Salisbury-Williams,15-Ruby Day
Head Coach: Nia Davies
Stats Summary: USA / WAL
Shots: 15 / 3
Shots on Goal: 6 / 1
Saves: 1 / 4
Corner Kicks: 6 / 1
Fouls: 1 / 10
Offside: 2 / 1
Misconduct Summary:
None
Officials:
N/A