It’s 2020! And that means it’s time to focus a little more on the youth movement in women’s soccer. Prodigies like Olivia Moultrie and Ally Sentnor are teenagers making waves at such a young age. The younger and more talented these players get, the faster soccer can grow on the women’s side. With that being said, we’re taking a look at five women’s soccer players to keep an eye on in 2020.
Callan Harrington
– Forward, Portland Jesuit, Oregon
??? @TheSaderNation ⚽️ on a record-setting night to cap a record-setting career for @UW_WSoccer commit Callan Harrington ? ? @fox12oregon #opreps @JesuitHighPDX pic.twitter.com/AXy9NRv9bR
— Nick Krupke (@NickKrupke) November 17, 2019
Callan Harrington has made the state of Oregon relevant again when it comes to soccer. Harrington will leave Portland Jesuit as the state record holder for most goals scored. The striker also passed legend Tiffeny Milbrett for most goals in a single season with 55. The two goals she needed to pass Milbrett were scored in the state championship. Harrington won three straight state titles, which is hard to do in any sport. Harrington is headed to the University of Washington next year, where she’ll look to make a name for herself in the elite Pac-12 conference.
Corinna Zullo- Forward, Hunterdon Central, New Jersey
Another Zullo? Another Zullo!
Let’s welcome in @corinnazulloo, a 2018-19 ECNL National Champion, to the #Gamecocks! #NSD19 #ForeverToThee
✍️: https://t.co/VHY43BxE2D pic.twitter.com/XovhRwwxEx
— Gamecock Women’s Soccer (@GamecockWSoccer) November 13, 2019
New Jersey is known for producing great women’s soccer players and Corinna Zullo will be next in line. Zullo came through for her team as they beat Eastern, one of the few undefeated elite high school teams in the country. That was in the state semifinal and Zullo helped cap off the amazing state title run with a brace in the final. The striker will attend the University of South Carolina where her older sister has already made a big impact. Keep an on her development with the Gamecocks down in Columbia.
Kailyn Dudukovich- Forward, Lakota West, Ohio
WATCH: Kailyn Dudukovich finds the back of the net for the second time in the match to guide Lakota West to a state title#BCSNnation pic.twitter.com/ZzW3phz32W
— BCSN (@BCSNsports) November 10, 2019
Kailyn Dudukovich is carrying on the torch in the Cincinnati area that was once ruled by Rose Lavelle. Dudukovich came through in the clutch with two goals in the state championship, including the game-winner with 13 seconds to go. The junior scored 50 goals this season and still has another year to go before joining Ohio State in 2021. The striker was named Miss Soccer of Ohio and will likely be the favorite to win the honor next year as well. Expect to be a big time scorer in the Big 10 just a couple of years from now.
Kyra Cooney-Cross- Forward, Western Sydney Wanderers, Australia
The Matildas are known for developing young talent better than anyone. Kyra Cooney-Cross is one of those players at age 17. The striker made her W-League debut last year. It’s only a matter of time before she gets called up to the national team. As of now she’s got four goals with plenty more to come.
Western Sydney Wanderers FC star Kyra Cooney-Cross has won the Westfield W-League Goal of the Round with this outside of the box effort against Sydney FC. pic.twitter.com/npklW4P1oy
— FNX Network Sports (@FNXsports) December 24, 2019
Not many 17-year-olds have the technique and ability to score goals like that with such fluidity. This baby-faced assassin will likely be in a Matildas jersey by 2020, and she’s an exciting prospect to keep an eye on going forward.
Mary Fowler- Forward, Adelaide United, Australia
Mary Fowler is another young teenager who will be making waves for the Matildas in 2020. One could argue that she’s a little further along in her development than Sam Kerr was when she first started out. At age 15, she got her first opportunity with the Matildas in the Tournament of Nations.
The #Matildas have just enlisted 15-year-old goal scoring prodigy Mary Fowler for the upcoming Tournament of Nations. (Pic: FFA) https://t.co/QBxDi7YQv5 pic.twitter.com/WcKsNfrbTS
— ABC Grandstand (@abcgrandstand) July 18, 2018
Now 16 going on 17, Fowler’s development will be critical to help add another weapon to the Matildas arsenal. The forward is a star in the making and will definitely be a player to watch in 2020.