USWNT finish Summer Series with three wins after defeating Nigeria 2-0

Stoppage-time goals at the end of each half propelled the USWNT to defeat a determined Nigeria in Austin’s new Q2 Stadium.

Seconds before from the halftime whistle, Manchester United forward Christen Press found the pass from Carli Lloyd and rocketed the ball into the net.

The following 45 minutes saw Nigeria fight back the USWNT’s efforts while attempting the equalizer without luck. It appeared the match would end 1-0 before Lynn Williams got on the end of a clearance from the US half and sprinted toward the other end of the pitch to double the lead.

The United States women’s national team swept all three games of the Summer Series after triumphing over Portugal, Nigeria and Jamaica. Though the matches serve the purpose of a friendly, USWNT head coach Vlatko Andonovski has been experimenting with starting lineups ahead of the complicated Olympic roster selection.

This is Andonovski’s first important roster announcement since taking his place as USWNT head coach in October 2019. Prior to the final June match, Portland Thorns player and current USWNT captain Becky Sauerbrunn told reporters what she expects from the coach.

“I’ve talked to Vlatko a lot about the process for him, because it’s his first roster announcement,” Sauerbrunn said. “Just telling him how we’ve done it in the past and things that players really appreciate – namely, honesty.”

As Vlatko Andonovski has mentioned, this will not be an easy decision to make. 

“I will say that the confidence level going to the Olympic Games is higher than it was before,” Andonovski said, meaning before the team defeated Portugal, Jamaica and Nigeria without conceding a goal. “I feel very good where we’re at, and with where the players are at. In terms of making final decisions, I feel very good.

“I feel like we have very good knowledge of the players. I’ve accumulated lots of knowledge and data for the players in the last year and a half. When the decision time comes, I believe we are going to make the right decisions for this team.”

Phil Neville shuts down Rodolfo Pizarro transfer rumors

During the post training press conference, Inter Miami head coach Phil Neville clarified that forward Rodolfo Pizarro would not be leaving the team any time soon.

Several media sources had been reporting that Pizarro could potentially depart Miami for Major League Soccer team the San Jose Earthquakes or even go back to Liga MX with the Monterrey Rayados.

When asked directly about the player’s future, however, Neville revealed the player is simply injured and unavailable to play.

“There is no possibility of Rodolfo Pizarro leaving this football club. He’s an Inter Miami player. We can’t stop speculation but the speculation on why he isn’t playing is because he’s injured. He then went away with Mexico and he is injured. I am not going to answer any more questions on Rodolfo Pizarro, I think I spoke and I told you many times that he is a big part of what we want to do here.”

Neville ended his answer with the simple statement: “Rodolfo is happy here.”

Prior to the forward’s injury, Neville continuously praised him as a vital part of Inter Miami. Even without producing the desired results, the Miami head coach insisted that the work ethic and rhythm would soon pay off.

“As I keep telling everybody, especially Rodolfo, we love him,” Neville said prior to Inter Miami’s match against FC Cincinnati in May. “He’s a big part, a big player in this football club.

“Now it’s about providing a platform for him to go out on Saturday, give his best and start enjoying his football, playing with more freedom….in terms of work ethic and sacrifice for the team, Rodolfo is as good as anybody on the team, He’s just not got the rewards he wants — the goals, assists and key passes.”

Before his injury, Pizarro recorded four goals and six assists in 25 appearances for Inter Miami. Beyond the numbers, the forward began impacting the team’s tempo on the pitch and providing the force Neville wanted on the attack.

The top Golden Boy 2021 nominees – ranked

As football fans, we love little more than overhyping the next fresh-faced youngster who bursts onto the scene with one or two phenomenal performances.

Just to prove it, the Golden Boy award, created in 2003, is awarded to the most promising young talent in European football aged under 21. Some of the recipients visibly didn’t handle the hype very well – namely Alexandre Pato and Anderson – while others only achieved or surpassed their ‘potential’ – for example, Lionel Messi. Yeah, he didn’t turn out too bad, did he?

These days, there’s always a lot of talent to choose from and, just for your reading pleasure, we at 90min have whittled the 100 name-long list of nominees to the top 20. Here you go…

Yari VerschaerenYari Verschaeren

Yari Verschaeren in action for Anderlecht / BSR Agency/Getty Images

At just 19 years of age, Yari Verschaeren was one of the Belgian top flight’s stand out performers in 2020/21.

Despite missing a two-and-a-half month chunk of the season, the attacking midfielder managed five goals and three assists in his 16 Jupiler Pro League appearances.

[embedded content]

Natural ability doesn’t come much more in abundance than in 17-year-old Rayan Cherki. The France youth international’s skill is unbelievable.

He’s a magician on the ball, already possesses great decision making and spatial awareness (exemplified by the above strike, winning a crucial match against Monaco in the race for Champions League football) and is a future star – that’s certain.

You may never have heard the name Josko Gvardiol but don’t worry, he’ll be the next Dayot Upamecano or Ibrahima Konate. RB Leipzig know young talent when they see it, and they weren’t afraid to invest in the Croatian defender.

At just 18, he was a huge part of Dinamo Zagreb’s domestic double-winning side in 2020/21, playing 41 times and registering six goals contributions throughout.

Amad DialloAmad Diallo

Amad Diallo in Premier League action for Manchester United / Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty Images

Now, we haven’t seen the best of Amad Diallo in the senior Manchester United side – of course.

But it has undoubtedly been a tough season of acclimatisation for the 18-year-old, who arrived from Serie A for a whopping £37m last summer. His record of four goals and three assists in just three Premier League 2 outings is proof enough of his outstanding potential.

19-year-old Jeremy Doku is another starlet that has had to go through a transitional season.

Arriving at Rennes last summer, the Belgian winger went on to gather five goal contributions in 30 Ligue 1 outings.

Part of 90min’s ‘Our 21’ series, Doku is currently with Belgium at Euro 2020, for whom he has notched two goals in eight caps.

Billy GilmourBilly Gilmour

Billy Gilmour is at Euro 2020 with Scotland / Catherine Ivill/Getty Images

Dogged, tenacious and brilliantly efficient, Billy Gilmour is everything that spectators love in a midfielder.

The Chelsea man hasn’t had too many minutes in a star-studded Blues midfield this term, but he’s still at Euro 2020 with Scotland and has undoubted talent – he is another inductee of the ‘Our 21’ series, after all.

In what was a turbulent campaign for Borussia Dortmund, 18-year-old Gio Reyna was a shining light.

While his output of four goals and six assists isn’t the greatest, his silky, quick-footed and creative style forces a smile upon your face.

He’s supremely talented, and deserves his nomination.

Gabriel MartinelliGabriel Martinelli

Gabriel Martinelli is a brilliant talent / Visionhaus/Getty Images

After breaking through into the Arsenal first team in 2019/20, it hasn’t been the fairy tale campaign we all thought it might have been for Gabriel Martinelli in 2020/21.

A knee injury that kept him out until December meant he only appeared 14 times in the Premier League, getting just three goal contributions.

But the way he changes the tempo of games instantly after being introduced tells you what you need to know about his quality.

Curtis JonesCurtis Jones

Curtis Jones for Liverpool / Pool/Getty Images

You know you’re good when Jurgen Klopp thinks highly of you. Curtis Jones hasn’t been able to truly break into Liverpool’s midfield, although with Gini Wijnaldum’s departure that task may become easier.

Jones still managed nine goal contributions in 34 appearances over the course of last term and is a mightily exciting talent, as he has shown with two strikes in six caps for England Under-21s.

Bayer Leverkusen have a habit of producing young midfield stars, and they’ve done it again it Florian Wirtz.

The 18-year-old has been a sensation since the start of the 2020/21 campaign and was even called up for Joachim Low’s Germany for March’s World Cup qualifiers.

During a breakout season in which he managed 16 goal involvements, it’s no surprise the Bundesliga starlet is in here.

Patrik Schick may have stolen the Czech headlines from Euro 2020, but within their squad is one of the most promising goalscorers of the up-and-coming generation in Adam Hlozek.

The 18-year-old was kept out for nearly four months through injury this season and still struck 15 goals in 19 appearances (including four in a second half cameo on the final day) to claim golden boot in the Fortuna Liga – now that is ridiculously impressive.

Ilaix MoribaIlaix Moriba

Ilaix Moriba has looked comfortable in a Barcelona shirt / Quality Sport Images/Getty Images

Likened to Paul Pogba a lot, Ilaix Moriba is an elegant, tough, powerful and technically gifted midfielder who has looked nothing but at ease playing for Ronald Koeman’s Barcelona.

He featured 14 times in La Liga, playing just 536 minutes, and registered an impressive four goal contributions from central midfield.

Myron BoaduMyron Boadu

Myron Boadu for Netherlands Under-21s / Soccrates Images/Getty Images

Now, if you want impressive numbers, how about this? 32 goals in 64 Eredivisie matches at 20 years old.

Myron Boadu is a natural goalscorer and has dominated defenders in the Netherlands’ top tier for two seasons now. Last term the AZ man notched 15 goals in 31 games and scored in his only senior cap so far.

Rennes are known for the production of fantastic young players, and almost none are as impressive as 18-year-old Eduardo Camavinga.

The Frenchman has the elegance and maturity of a midfielder in their prime and is already capable of running matches like it’s nobody’s business.

He scored an awkward overhead kick in his full international debut for France as well, just to announce himself – the first goal shown above.

International friendly match"The Netherlands v Georgie"International friendly match"The Netherlands v Georgie"

Ryan Gravenberch scores against Georgia / ANP Sport/Getty Images

Another teenager to feature on 90min’s ‘Our 21’ series, Ryan Gravenberch is anything you could ever want from a central midfielder.

Cool, assured, intelligent and able to do almost anything with a football, the 19-year-old has been a vital cog in Erik ten Hag’s impressive Ajax side and has even got international recognition.

He’s scored once in his five Netherlands caps and is currently away with the squad at the European Championships.

Bukayo SakaBukayo Saka

Bukayo Saka in action for England / Pool/Getty Images

Talking of ‘Our 21’, Bukayo Saka is the first to make the top five in this list.

At just 19, he’s one of the key figures both out on the pitch and in the dressing room at Arsenal and has managed to break into the England set-up for this summer’s Euro 2020 tournament.

Now that is Golden Boy material.

Ah, the one that got away for England.

18-year-old Jamal Musiala had two of the biggest nations scrapping over him for his allegiance – that tells you all you need to know.

Smooth, quick, decisive. His performances have been way beyond his years, making the future incredibly bright – or scary, depending on what side you’re on.

mason greenwoodmason greenwood

Mason Greenwood is a rising star / Alex Livesey – Danehouse/Getty Images

Mason Greenwood undoubtedly only really came to life towards the latter stages of the season, eventually notching seven Premier League goals.

But the fact we expect so much more of a 19-year-old is testament to how spectacularly gifted the Manchester United star is.

He’s got bags of ability and two feet that no goalkeeper would ever want to face.

This guy arrived at Camp Nou aged 17 from the second tier of Spanish football and went on to feature in 52 of Barcelona”s 53 matches all season, becoming utterly undroppable in the process.

Pedri is creatively superior to most footballers, a silky dribbler and a tenacious midfielder who visibly just loves football.

The 18-year-old is as highly regarded as you can be in Spain, and rightly so.

It was tough whittling this group of players to one stand out, but it just has to be 17-year-old Jude Bellingham.

I mean, seriously, what were you doing at 17?

Whatever it was, it wasn’t absolutely bossing elite level football matches, outshining genius footballers and more-than-proving your worth on the international stage.

Hey, Jude – you’re our number one Golden Boy.

Mikkel Damsgaard’s display against Belgium gives fans plenty of reason to smile

Making your major international tournament debut must be a daunting prospect at the best of times, but the task Mikkel Damsgaard was faced with on Thursday evening was on a whole new level.

The young Sampdoria forward was drafted into Denmark’s starting XI against Belgium as part of a complete reshuffle after Christian Eriksen’s frightening heart scare ruled him out of the tournament.

The pressure on Damsgaard’s shoulders as he lined up in the tunnel must have been truly unimaginable. Not only did he have the weight of expectation of an entire nation to deal with, there was the added factor of him now being one of the men his country would turn to in the absence of their talisman.

To say that he coped well under the circumstances would be a huge understatement.

The 20-year-old was highlighted by 90min prior to Euro 2020’s kick off as one of the youngsters to keep an eye out for at this summer’s tournament as part of the Our21 series, and his display against Roberto Martinez’s side vindicated every glowing statement we’ve ever made about him.

From minute one Denmark attacked the Belgium backline and gave them no time to settle on the ball – a ploy which ultimately brought about the opening goal of the game with little more than 90 seconds of the clock – and Damsgaard was a central figure in their press.

Mikkel Damsgaard wasn't afraid to get on the ball and make things happenMikkel Damsgaard wasn't afraid to get on the ball and make things happen

Mikkel Damsgaard wasn’t afraid to get on the ball and make things happen / Jonathan Nackstrand – Pool/Getty Images

Far from being overwhelmed by the responsibility placed upon him, the forward looked like he was thriving on the atmosphere created by the crowd and the likes of Jan Vertonghen and Jason Denayer were made to look like a bunch of 50-year-old men playing five-a-side when that one annoying bloke decides to bring his 17-year-old son along.

But don’t be fooled into thinking Damsgaard’s display was just 90 minutes of him running around like a headless chicken trying to win the ball back. The 20-year-old was key to his side’s progressive play and had a hand in the majority of their forward moves.

The highlight of his outing came in the first half as he picked up the ball on the Denmark right. The Belgian backline was well set as he emerged towards the penalty area, though the Sampdoria man produced two stepovers that suddenly presented him with a goalscoring opportunity before his curling left-footed effort edged just half a yard wide of Thibaut Courtois’ far post.

Damsgaard did have one moment he’ll no doubt want to forget after he was booked for diving in the area, though we’ll forgive him that given the occasion and his evident desperation to help his team to a positive result.

Mikkel Damsgaard's moment to forgetMikkel Damsgaard's moment to forget

Mikkel Damsgaard’s moment to forget / Jonathan Nackstrand – Pool/Getty Images

The loss of Eriksen was of course a massive blow to Denmark, though in Damsgaard they seem to have a player with the ability to produce the kind of moments of brilliance that the Inter man has built a career on.

Denmark’s Euro 2020 campaign looks to be on the verge of fizzling out unless they can win their final group game and scrape their way through to the knockout rounds, though the future of Danish football looks to be in safe hands with Damsgaard in the side.

Ashley Young rejoins Aston Villa on one-year deal

Ashley Young has rejoined former club Aston Villa after leaving Inter, signing a one-year deal with Dean Smith’s side.

The former Manchester United winger spent the last season and a half at Serie A giants Inter, helping the Nerazzurri win Italy’s top flight title.

The 35-year-old told the club’s website: “It feels amazing to be back, it feels like I’ve not left. I’m just delighted to be back, seeing some old faces, being back at the training ground, seeing the facilities and how well they’ve grown.

“You can see how much the club has evolved since my time and I’m just ready to get down to work now.”

Manager Smith added: “Ashley brings with him a wealth of experience of top-level football both at club and international level and he is joining having just won a league championship in Italy.

“He is a player who can play in a number of positions and, having spoken to him at length, I know he is determined to make a real impact with us this season.”

Young first joined Villa after breaking through the ranks at Watford, impressing enough during Watford’s Premier League campaign of 2006/07 to earn a move to the Villans. More positive performances came at Villa Park, Young scoring 30 goals in 157 league appearances, and a transfer to Manchester United materialised in 2011.

Ashley Young, Romelu LukakuAshley Young, Romelu Lukaku

Young celebrates a goal against Lazio / Giuseppe Bellini/Getty Images

He won the Premier League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup, the Community Shield and the Europa League during his time at Old Trafford, and towards the end of his spell there he began to play at left back rather than on the wing.

The move to Inter came as something of a surprise, but Young proved his worth under Antonio Conte and scored five goals in 44 Serie A games, helping them win the 2020/21 title.

For more from Jude Summerfield, follow him on Twitter!