The U.S. Under-20 Women’s National Team opened the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup with a frustrating 2-1 loss to Italy on Sunday in Lodz, Poland, despite creating several opportunities to take something from its Group D opener.
Chicago Stars forward Micayla Johnson gave the Americans an early advantage, but Italy capitalized on U.S. mistakes on either side of halftime to complete the comeback. The USA twice hit the woodwork, including on a dramatic potential equalizer in second-half stoppage time.
The Americans opened the scoring in the 18th minute following an impressive sequence down the left side. Seattle Reign forward Emeri Adames beat her defender and drove a low ball across the face of goal. Italian goalkeeper Elena Belli managed to get a touch on the cross, but Johnson was waiting at the back post to finish with her left foot.
The goal was Johnson’s third in five appearances for the U-20s and also gave her a unique place in U.S. Soccer history. Johnson has now scored at a FIFA youth World Cup in three consecutive years after also finding the net at the 2024 and 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cups, becoming the first American to accomplish the feat.
Johnson and Adames nearly combined for another goal shortly afterward. Johnson found Adames outside the box, and the Reign forward created space before firing a left-footed effort that Belli pushed onto the crossbar.
Italy survived the pressure and found its equalizer in the 40th minute. Caroline Birkel stopped Karen Appiah’s initial effort with her foot, but the loose ball eventually fell to Paola Fadda, who converted from close range to make it 1-1.
The Italians went ahead in the 59th minute after Giulia Galli regained possession on the left and drove toward goal. Her cross was touched by Birkel but fell into the path of Giada Pellegrino Cimò, who finished from close range for a 2-1 advantage.
Italy dropped deeper following the go-ahead goal, forcing the Americans to break down a crowded defensive third.
The USA continued to push. Substitute Alex Buck was denied by Belli in the 78th minute, while Sealey Strawn sent another opportunity over the crossbar following a corner.
Then came the heartbreak.
In the final minute of stoppage time, Kennedy Fuller struck the left post and Strawn converted the rebound, seemingly rescuing a point for the Americans. A VAR review, however, determined Strawn was narrowly offside and overturned the goal.
The result puts immediate pressure on the Americans heading into their second Group D match against Japan on Sept. 9 in Lodz. Japan has finished fourth or better at each of the last five U-20 Women’s World Cups, making the matchup another significant test for Vicky Jepson’s young U.S. squad.
The USA concludes group play against New Zealand on Sept. 12. The top two teams in each group, along with the four best third-place finishers, advance to the Round of 16.
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