Atlanta, Ga. - Exciting News for U.S. U-18 Women's National Team Fans
The U.S. U-18 Women's National Team, under the guidance of head coach Toni Pressley, has unveiled its 20-player roster for the upcoming Pinatar Cup 2026. Among the standout names is Riley Kennedy from the University of North Carolina, a player who’s been turning heads with her impressive performances.
Kennedy and her teammates are set to journey to San Pedro del Pinatar, Spain, from February 25 to March 6. There, they'll compete at the Pinatar Arena in a round-robin format against Sweden and Hungary, with the ultimate goal of clinching the title based on total points.
Kennedy, a sophomore with the Tar Heels, brings a wealth of experience to the national squad. She's already showcased her skills in international friendlies against Spain and played a pivotal role in the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup last fall. Her journey to the national stage began even before her college career, as she competed in the 2025 U17 Concacaf USYNT World Cup Qualifier in Trinidad and Tobago.
During her time with UNC, Kennedy has been a key player, appearing in 14 matches and starting nine of them. Her defensive prowess contributed to four shutouts and eight victories. Notably, she earned a spot at number 88 in the TopDrawerSoccer Midseason Top 100 Freshman list, highlighting her as one of the promising talents in collegiate soccer.
Fans can keep up with Kennedy and the U-18 Women's National Team’s journey through their social media channels for all the latest updates and behind-the-scenes action.