Up-and-coming Players

The September USWNT roster for two friendlies vs. South Africa was revealed on Tuesday with 27 players set to be in the national team camp. Each friendly will also serve as a farewell match for Julie Ertz and Megan Rapinoe.

Ertz will play her final game on Thursday, Sept. 21 at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio. Rapinoe’s last appearance for the national team will be Sunday, Sept. 24 at Soldier Field in Chicago.

Here are the 27 players that USWNT interim head coach Twila Kilgore named to the roster.

The New York Red Bulls signed 15-year-old forward Julian Zakrzewski Hall to a homegrown MLS contract.

The first-team deal announced on Thursday runs through 2026 and includes an option for 2027.

The Red Bulls Academy product is the second-youngest homegrown signing in Red Bulls history.

2023 @MLSNEXT Cup Champion and MVP ✅
2023 GA Cup Golden Boot Winner ✅
Second youngest homegrown signing in club history ✅

Brighton & Hove Albion have signed forward Ansu Fati on a season-long loan from Barcelona, the Premier League club announced on Friday.

Ansu Fati Brighton loan

Sign for Brighton. Just do it. pic.twitter.com/tw84sQZ0kx

— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) September 1, 2023

Sacramento Republic FC of the United Soccer League made history on Tuesday by signing a 13-year-old player to a professional contract.

Da'vian Kimbrough, who is 13 years, 5 months and 13 days old, signed with Sacramento to become the youngest pro player in U.S. soccer history. The record most recently belonged to Maximo Carrizo, who signed with New York City FC's senior squad on his 14th birthday in February 2022.

The club also claims that Kimbrough is the youngest professional athlete in American team sports history.

PSV hosted second division side FC Eindhoven on Wednesday in a derby preseason friendly, and 20-year-old American striker Ricardo Pepi was on the scoresheet in a 3-1 victory, giving him two goals in two appearances since arriving from FC Augsburg on a five-year deal.

It was an emphatic finish from the Texan as he swept a right-footed effort inside the far post.

The U.S. women's national team is in a position to win a record third straight World Cup because every player who steps on the field is expected to meet the high standards of their predecessors.

Sophia Smith is the latest example of a potential legend in the making, following in the footsteps of players such as Mia Hamm, Abby Wambach and current teammate Alex Morgan.

It was only a preseason match against a third division team but Christian Pulisic won't care — he'll just be happy to be starting and contributing again after wasting away at Chelsea.

The 24-year-old American, having just completed his $24.5 million transfer, got the start for AC Milan on Thursday during the club's first fixture of the summer, a matchup against Serie C's Lumezzane at the Milanello Sports Center.