Forty current or former ECNL athletes from 29 different ECNL clubs are representing seven different countries at this year's FIFA U17 Women's World Cup.
The United States leads the way with 19 of the 21 players on the roster being former or current ECNL athletes, while ECNL players have also taken the field for Canada, Colombia, Mexico, New Zealand, Paraguay, and Samoa.
Of the players competing in this year's Women's U17 World Cup, seven of them (Grace Ae, Julia Amireh, Ava Aryes, Simone Blood, London Crawford, Vanessa Puerta, and Macey Tuiolosega) were connected to their federations through the ECNL's Heritage Project during the past twelve months.
Since its launch in 2024, the Heritage Project has identified thousands of players with dual national heritage, connecting athletes in the ECNL with dozens of federations around the world. This year's U17 Women's World Cup is providing yet another opportunity for players supported by the Heritage Project to compete on the international stage.
Below is a full list of all the ECNL current and former players competing in this year's edition of the FIFA U17 Women's World Cup.
United States
Scottie Antonucci (Legends FC)
Meila Brewer (KC Athletics)
Pearl Cecil (SD Surf)
Maddie DiMaria (SLSG Navy)
Micayla Johnson (Michigan Hawks)
Riley Kennedy (NC Courage)
Ellie Kocher (Penn Fusion SA)
Lauren Malsom (FC Prime)
Ella McNeal (SLSG Navy)
Cali O'Neill (NC Courage Academy)
Evan O'Steen (Solar SC)
KK Ream (Utah Royals FC-AZ)
Jaiden Rodriguez (SD Surf)
Chloe Sadler (La Roca FC)
Sydney Schmidt (Sporting JAX)
Anastasia Showler-Little (PDA)
Nyanya Touray (Bethesda SC)
Peyton Trayer (Slammers FC HB Køge)
Mak Whitham (Slammers FC HB Køge)
The United States advanced to the Round of 16 after winning all three of their group stage games, defeating Ecuador 3-0, China 5-2, and Norway 5-0. Nyanya Touray leads the way for the United States with four goals, scoring at least once in every game so far. Lauren Malsom has scored three times for the United States while Meila Brewer, Maddie DiMaria, Micayla Johnson, Ellie Kocher, KK Ream, and Mak Whitham have all also scored for the US.
Defensively, Evan O'Steen recorded a clean sheet in goal for the US in their opening group stage game against Ecuador, while making four saves, while Peyton Trayer recorded a clean sheet in the 5-0 win over Norway, making three saves in the game.
The United States will take on the Netherlands in the Round of 16.
Canada
Julia Amireh (NC Courage)
Reed Tingley (Concorde Fire)
Julia Amireh has led the way for Canada so far with three goals in the group stage, as the Canadians advanced to the Round of 16 with a 3-0 record in Group D. Reed Tingley started for Canada in the opening group stage match against Nigeria and has made appearances in all three of Canada's games so far.
Canada takes on Zambia in the Round of 16.
Colombia
Angelica Castillo (DKSC)
London Crawford (GSA)
Vanessa Puerta (SUSA)
Daniela Todd (Florida West)
London Crawford scored two goals for Colombia in the group stage, including a 73rd-minute winner in their final group stage game against South Korea to secure Colombia's spot in the Round of 16.
Angelica Castillo, Vanessa Puerta, and Daniela Todd have all also made appearances in the group stage for Colombia, who will face Japan in the Round of 16.
Mexico
Lelia Avila (SD Surf)
Samantha Ruiz (Legends FC)
Ava Stack (FC Prime)
Mexico advanced to the Round of 16 as the runner up out of Group B. Ava Stack has started twice for Mexico in the tournament and appeared in all three matches, while Lelia Avila and Samantha Ruiz have each made two appearances for Mexico.
Mexico faces Paraguay in the Round of 16.
New Zealand
Keira Tichbon (Rebels SC)
Keira Tichbon appeared for New Zealand in their second group stage game, playing 18 minutes against Paraguay. New Zealand did not advance into the knockout stage.
Paraguay
Florencia Caceres (Florida Kraze Krush)
At just 15 years old, Florencia Caceres has appeared in all three of Paraguay's group stage games, including starting in Paraguay's final group stage game, a 1-1 draw with Japan. Caceres has helped lead Paraguay into the Round of 16 where they will take on Mexico.
Samoa
Grace Ae (LAFC So Cal)
Ava Aryes (SC United)
Leah Atuaia (Utah Surf RL)
Simone Blood (Wilmington Hammerheads)
Makea Leonard (LAFC So Cal)
Makeli Leonard (LAFC So Cal)
Alia Loua (Seattle United)
Jhalilah Sio (Sporting California)
Reyna Tufuga (Beach FC CA)
Macey Tuiolosega (Slammers FC HB Køge)
Outside of the United States, Samoa featured the highest number of ECNL players in this year's tournament, with 10 players coming from ECNL clubs. Five of those 10 players (Grace Ae, Ava Aryes, Leah Atuaia, Makea Leonard, and Makeli Leonard) started all three group stage games for Samoa, while Simone Blood, Jhalilah Sio, Macey Tuiolosega, and Reyna Tufuga all also started or made appearances for Samoa.
Makea Leonard scored for Samoa in their 4-2 defeat to France in the opening group stage game, while Grace Ae was named Player of the Match for her outstanding performance in goal.
Ae faced 25 shots on target in the game and made 18 saves. She then followed up that performance with 14 saves against Canada and nine more in Samoa's final group stage game against Nigeria.
Despite Ae's outstanding performance in goal, Samoa did not advance to the knockout stage.
The knockout stage of the U17 Women's World Cup begins Tuesday, with the U17 Women's World Cup Final taking place November 8.
