Dallas Trinity FC looked like it was on its way to a third consecutive draw on Saturday as it remained scoreless against Fort Lauderdale United FC with five minutes to go.
Then, a brilliant ball sent forward by Amber Brooks to Cyera Hintzen in the 87th minute that changed the game. Hintzen’s left-footed shot was saved by FTL UTD’s goalkeeper Makenna Gottschalk, but Sealey Strawn put away the rebound for the game-winner.
Strawn, a 17-year-old University of North Carolina commit, was one of four USL Super League players recently called up to a U.S. U-19 Women’s Youth National Team training camp last month. Saturday’s match was her first appearance since returning to the team. Just 20 minutes after coming on as a substitute, she became the youngest goalscorer in Super League history.
“I think when young players get the opportunity to be involved in international play and then come back into training, there’s always a bit of excitement and confidence,” Dallas Head Coach Pauline MacDonald said after the win. “Young players play without fear, and every time we’ve given Sealey an opportunity, she’s played without fear. I’m just so happy for her this evening.”
Strawn is the latest in a string of USL Academy players that have written their names in the Super League history book this season.
- DC Power’s Allie Flanagan recorded a brace in her debut, a 2-1 comeback win against Lexington to earn DC’s first home win of the season.
- Fort Lauderdale United’s Reese Klein lifted the team to a win in its home opener with a beautiful strike from the top of the box.
- Carolina Ascent’s Stella Spitzer became the youngest player to make her professional debut this season at 14 years old.
The Super League’s Academy standouts are also making waves outside the league. Dallas goalkeeper Evan O’Steen won the Golden Glove award and three other Super League players helped the U.S. earn bronze at this year’s U-17 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Tampa Bay Sun FC’s Ella Martinez also played in the tournament with the Colombia National Team and scored Las Cafeteras’ opening goal in the 1-1 draw against South Korea.
The Academy pathway provides a clear route for these young players to earn quality minutes and gain professional experience early in their careers. That’s not just going to be good for the Super League, but for women’s soccer in the United States overall.