Springfield, Virginia: Lily Yohannes is a playmaker for the U.S. Women’s National Team, and whatever she does is far more impressive and impactful.
She was born to Eritrean parents and grew up alongside two brothers who also play Dutch club soccer.
Highlights
- Lily Yohannes’s parents supported her athletic career and encouraged her to improve daily.
- Her father, Daniel Yohannes, is Ethiopian-born, and her mother, Semhar Bokretsion, is Eritrean-American.
- Her elder brother, Aethan, plays for the under-21 team of FC Den Bosch in North Brabant, and Jayden plays for SC Telstar’s under-21 team in North Holland.
Lily is a professional midfielder for the Dutch club AFC Ajax of the Vrouwen Eredivisie and is committed to playing for the U.S. rather than the Netherlands.
She played youth soccer in the Netherlands and trained weekly with the Ajax at 13. Later, she signed a three-year contract with Ajax in April 2023 at 15.
Moreover, on November 15, 2023, she became the youngest UEFA Women’s Champions League player at 16. She was named player of the match in Ajax’s victory over AS Roma in January 2024.
Lily earned the Johan Cruyff Talent of the Year award for the 2023–24 Eredivisie season and led Ajax to the KNVB Women’s Cup in 2024.
She attended camp with the Dutch under-19 national team and was called by the U.S. national team at 16 ahead of the 2024 SheBelieves Cup.
Lily Yohannes’ Parents Supported Her Athletic Career
Lily Yohannes, the daughter of Daniel Yohannes and Semhar Bokretsion, was born on June 12, 2007, in Springfield, Virginia. Her father is Ethiopian-born, and her mother is Eritrean-American.
Her parents named her Lilian Isabella Yohannes, and she grew up playing soccer in an Ethiopian and Eritrean community.
“I JUST LOVE THE GAME” ⚽️🫶
— The Women's Game (@WomensGameMIB) May 10, 2024
Lily Yohannes tells @sammymewy all about playing soccer against her brothers and running drills in their basement in full kits and shin guards 😂🤩
🎧: Find the all new episode out now, wherever you get your pods! ❤️ pic.twitter.com/PALslMjAHw
Lily’s father found out about the Dutch-American Friendship Treaty and decided to let his children experience diverse cultures and overseas lifestyles.
He accepted a job in Amsterdam, and the Yohannes family moved to the Netherlands when she was 10.
As an avid football fan, Daniel converted his basement into an indoor soccer pitch for his children. He often watched football on television.
The 17-year-old athlete credits her success to his parents. She won’t be where she is today without her parents’ support.
Her parents did everything to ensure the Yohannes siblings could perform at their best. Daniel trained her when she played the amateurs in Amsterdam.
They are my everything. I love my family. Without them, I wouldn’t be where I am now. They have always helped me, whether taking me to training or anything else. They support me a lot. They are always there for me.
Lily Yohannes
Since Lily was a child, football has surrounded her, and she grew up in a football family.
Bokretsion Gebrehiwot, her maternal grandfather, played for Eritrea’s men’s national soccer team.
Lily Yohannes Competes With Her Elder Brothers, Aethan and Jayden
The Yohannes siblings have always had big career plans and are making their names in soccer. Lily used to have competitive matches between her two brothers growing up, which became their stepping stone.
Their parents saw their future in soccer and gave their everything to support their athletic career.
AMAZING WEEK FOR YOHANNES FAMILY OF VIRGINIA. After 16yo Ajax star Lily Yohannes gets 1st USWNT call-up for SheBelieves Cup, Lily’s dad tells MiB son Jayden (18) has agreed to join Telstar U21s next season, while Aethan (20, R) is at FC Den Bosch recovering from ACL injury. 🇺🇸🇳🇱 pic.twitter.com/kH4BkzZyAZ
— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) March 26, 2024
Lily’s eldest brother, Aethan, played college soccer at Wake Forest University and became part of the United States under-15 and under-17 national teams.
He collected 13 international caps with the United States national teams and currently plays for the under-21 team of FC Den Bosch in North Brabant.
Similarly, he spent five seasons overseas in the Netherlands with AZ Alkmaar’s U-15 and U-17 squads.
On the other hand, Lily’s other brother, Jayden, plays for SC Telstar’s under-21 team in North Holland. He previously played with AVV Zeeburgia, an amateur club in Amsterdam.
Netizens assumed Jayden or Aethan would make the initial impression in the Dutch professional leagues, but Lily was picked up.
Lily and Jayden are longtime Chelsea fans alongside their father, Daniel, whereas Aethan supports Arsenal. Their mother, Semhar, is a peaceful neutral who supports any team her children play on.
They probably wouldn’t be able to name you a cartoon character. But as kids in Virginia, every Saturday at 7 a.m. they bounded into his and his wife Semhar’s room, three tiny alarm clocks ready to tune in to the first English Premier League match of the day.
Daniel Yohannes
Additional Information
- In 2022, Lily Yohannes trained with the United States youth national team at the under-15 and under-16 levels.
- On June 4, 2024, she made her international debut against South Korea in the 72nd minute and scored her first goal in the 82nd minute.
- She became the third-youngest goal scorer in USWNT history one week before her 17th birthday.
