Ally SentnorGetty Images
Celia BalfJan 17, 2025USANWSLUSA U20Utah Royals

Utah Royals, USYNT forward Ally Sentnor named 2024 U.S. Soccer Young Female Player of the Year

Sentnor joins the list of decorated U.S. soccer players to earn the prestigious Young Female Soccer Player of the Year award

It's day two of the U.S. women's national team January camp, and Ally Sentnor is focused on the task at hand: Compete and get the attention of Emma Hayes to earn a spot on the SheBelieves Cup roster for February.

However, a surprise was is store for the young attacking player: The U.S. Soccer Young Female Player of the Year award. The Utah Royals striker and one of the most decorated talents in the USYNT program, earned the prestigious award - one that has honored some of the very best in U.S. Soccer history, from Jaedyn Shaw to Mallory Swanson, Lindsey Horan and Tobin Heath.

The award has been given since 1998, when Cindy Parlow was the first to ever win Young Female Player of the Year. Sentnor was humbled and extremely grateful, mentioning the long history of role models who have won the award.

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    WHAT HAPPENED

    Appropriately enough, the No. 1 pick at the 2024 NWSL Draft pick was voted 2024 U.S. Soccer Young Female Player of the Year. Sentnor was also a nominee for NWSL Rookie of the Year, after a strong debut scoring three goals and chipping in four assists for the Utah Royals.

    The Hanson, Massachusetts native has been a rising star in both the NWSL and on the international stage, scoring for the U.S. at almost every youth level. Acccording to U.S. Soccer, of the five finalists for this award, Sentnor earned 55.8% of the overall votes.

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    THE BIGGER PICTURE

    Sentnor had a standout performance at the Under-20 FIFA Women's World Cup, helping the Americans earn third place overall. Sentnor scored three times, and against Germany in the quarterfinal match, had one of the most dramatic tying goals that brought the USYNT back and pushed the game into overtime.

    This match was known as one of the biggest comebacks in U.S. history, as the U20 USYNT was down 2-0 against Germany in the third minute of extra-time. In the 97th and 98th minute, a miracle performance took over the field and the Americans tied the match.

    After the tournament, Sentnor was awarded the Bronze Ball, for third-best player in the tournament.

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    WHAT SENTNOR SAID

    “The words that come to mind are grateful and humbled," Sentnor said in a statement. “To see the list of players who have won this before shows me the opportunities that are ahead. I know there is so much work to do for myself and my generation, but we’ve had amazing role models in the players from the past and the veteran players who are on the team now. I’m so excited about the next steps that Emma is taking with National Team and I’m going to work as hard as I can to try to earn more opportunities to be with this special group of players.”

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    ALL-TIME U.S. SOCCER YOUNG FEMALE AWARD WINNERS

    1998 - Cindy Parlow

    1999 - Lorrie Fair

    2000 - Aly Wagner

    2001 - Aleisha Cramer

    2002 - Lindsay Tarpley

    2003- Cat Reddick

    2004 - Heather O’Reilly

    2005 - Lori Chalupny

    2006 - Danesha Adams

    2007 - Lauren Cheney

    2008 - Kristie Mewis

    2009 - Tobin Heath

    2010 - Bianca Henninger

    2011 - Sydney Leroux

    2012 - Julie Johnston

    2013 - Lindsey Horan

    2014 - Morgan Brian

    2015 - Mallory Pugh

    2016 - Ashley Sanchez

    2017 - Sophia Smith

    2018 - Tierna Davidson

    2019 - Brianna Pinto

    2020 - Naomi Girma

    2021 - Trinity Rodman

    2022 - Jaedyn Shaw

    2023 - Olivia Moultrie

    2024 - Ally Sentnor