L’ALBIR, Spain (Jan. 10, 2026) – The U.S. Under-16 Girls’ National Team fell to Germany 4-1 in the first of three matches against European teams in the first training camp of the year which is taking place in Spain.
Germany took control early, burying goals in the 10th and 27th minutes. Small mistakes and messy clearances leading to both German opportunities.
Midfielder Natalia Hanson looked to turn the tide late in the first half and won the ball high off a German throw in. She passed to forward Kayleigh Cabigon who dribble past one German defender and slotted it through the on-rushing goalkeeper’s legs.
Germany would take momentum back just before the first half whistle. Smilla Bienert dribbled to the endline and found Charlotte Rohs at the top of the six to shoot and score.
The U.S. continued to push, taking fourteen shots and forcing five saves from Germany goalkeeper Katharina Jeppe but couldn’t create another goal, and ultimately, Germany would score once more themselves, winning the ball from the U.S. about 30 yards out and sailing a shot into the net that was beyond the reach of goalkeeper Olivia Hasan.
The U.S. will face Germany again on Tuesday, Jan. 13 and then take on Belgium’s U-17 team on Jan. 15.
All 20 players on the roster were born in 2010, which is the birth cutoff year to be eligible for the 2027 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, the tournament that this age group of players will be attempting to qualify for at the 2027 Concacaf Women’s U-17 Championship.
The camp is part of the Federation’s continued focus on the U.S. Way philosophy, which emphasizes increased programming for Youth National Teams to create more opportunities for young players to advance through the pathway to the senior National Team with the goal of representing their country at a world championship.
-U.S. Under-16 Women's National Team Match Report-
Match: United States U-16 Girls’ National Team vs. Germany U-16 Girls’ National Team
Date: Jan. 10, 2026
Competition: International Friendly
Venue: Albir Garden Resort -- Field #1; L’Albir, Spain
Weather: 57 degrees, sunny
| Scoring Summary |
1 |
2 |
F |
| USA |
1 |
0 |
1 |
| GER |
3 |
1 |
4 |
| GER – Kim Wardjawand | 10th minute |
| GER – Charlotte Rohns | 27 |
| USA – Kayleigh Cabigon (Natalia Hanson) | 41 |
| GER – Charlotte Rohns (Smilla Bienert) | 44 |
| GER – Alea Pospiech | 59 |
Lineups:
USA: 1-Olivia Hasan; 2-Emma Sullivan, 5-Dorothea Perry (15-Brielle Hopkins, 46), 4-Cassandra Travers (Capt.), 3-Ally Damron (14-Carolyn Voss, 52); 18-Makenna Mitchell (8-Isabella Ortiz, 66), 6-Natalia Hanson (16-Camila Fadiga, 52), 10-Valentina Perrotta (20-Sadie Siedel, 66); 7-Eileena Chinyadza (17-Caroline Barrow, 52), 9-Kayleigh Cabigon (19-Bridget Asekomhe, 46), 11-Lara Almieda (13-Ryder White, 66)
Subs not used: 21-Gabriella Gjeldum
Head Coach: Katie Schoepfer
GER: 1-Katharina Jeppe; 2-Laura Carollo (13-Frieda Pohl, 46), 3-Svenja Hecke (Capt.) (24-Ina Gläser, 46), 5-Oljeta Shala (4-Josefine Schmitz, 46), 6-Emilia Watermeier (14-Luisa Eichinger, 46); 8-Luise Krczal (16-Matilda Schütte, 8), 10-Kim Wardjawand (18-Jara Menken, 46), 17-Amélie Offner (7-Catelyn Zimmermann, 46), 21-Smilla Bienert (11-Aylin Ardic, 46), 22-Anni Kuhl (20-Maryam Bali, 46); 19-Charlotte Rohs (9-Alea Pospiech, 46).
Subs not used: 12-Selina Großer, 15-Lena Golz, 23-Mara Erkens, 25-Paula Meßmer
Head Coach: Kathrin Peter
Stats Summary: USA / GER
Shots: 14 / 9
Shots on Goal: 6 / 6
Saves: 2 / 5
Corner Kicks: 7 / 3
Fouls: 5 / 6
Offside: 5 / 1
Officials:
Referee: Adrian López (ESP)
Assistant Referee 1: Ismael Moreno (ESP)
Assistant Referee 2: Pedro Navarro (ESP)
Fourth Official: Iván Prado (ESP)