By OkayGoal 
The NWSL has a lot of talented youth players who have been appearing more and more in recent years. Today, teams depend on their veterans along with young talents who still have a lot to prove. One of these talents is San Diego Wave’s Kimmi Ascanio. The 17-year-old midfielder has attracted people’s attention since the very beginning. Her talent is one to watch as she keeps gaining experience with every match she plays. She is a player who we can call San Diego Wave’s rising star.
The Shaping of Kimmi Ascanio’s Career
Kimmi Ascanio is a Florida native who played her youth club soccer with Florida United Soccer Club. She earned the club back-to-back championships in both the UPSL Florida Women’s League and the Girls Academy Champions Cup. It was when she was just 16 that Ascanio signed her first professional contract with the Wave. Since then, she has been showing everyone why she deserves to be in the NWSL.
This season, Ascanio has played a part in a lot of the San Diego Wave’s games. So far, she has participated in 25 matches and has managed to score four goals and register one assist. When the team won against Gotham FC thanks to Ascanio’s goal, she achieved a new record for herself. At 17 years and 115 days old, she became the youngest player in the NWSL to score in back-to-back games. She also became the second-youngest to score a game-winner.
She believes that she can still improve despite her numbers so far. While talking to FIFA, she said, “I think I’m happy with how it’s going so far but never satisfied. I always want to improve…but I don’t think I’m anywhere yet, so there’s still a lot of room for improvement.”
Her International Career
Ascanio isn’t just trusted by her club but also by the national team. She has been part of the U.S. Youth National Teams since 2022. At the 2024 U-17 Concacaf Women’s Championship, Ascanio was the youngest player on the roster. She definitely left her mark back then. During the semifinal against Haiti, she managed to score three goals. Her most important goal, though, was the one she scored in the final against Mexico. The United States ended up winning the tournament. Her involvement with the youth teams will likely continue for a while due to her talent. She was recently called to the USYNT’s U-19 for a pair of friendlies they are going to have.
While Ascanio is successful with the youth teams she has played for, she dreams of making it to the USWNT’s roster. It’s not just that, but she wants to win the World Cup one day. “I think that’s the goal, that’s what I’ve dreamed of and why I’ve played the sport. All these tournaments are important and cool, but nothing can compare to a World Cup. I hope I can be there one day and maybe win one,” she told FIFA.
Kimmi Ascanio Missing FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup
Kimmi Ascanio’s contributions to any team she plays for make it hard to replace her. While she might have hoped to play in this year’s FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, San Diego Wave preferred to keep her with them. They probably made the right decision since they just clinched a spot in the playoffs.
The young star would still be missed by the USA as they try to win the tournament. Head coach Katie Schoepfer talked to FIFA about Ascanio’s absence. “Kimmi is an unbelievable player, and that is a credit to her that she has made herself invaluable at her club, which is making a push for a playoff spot. That is their right, they have a plan for her to decide what is best. It doesn’t change how we feel about her and what she is, but I’m really happy with the players that we have and excited for them. It’s going to be a great tournament, and we are going to miss her for sure, but she also had a great tournament last year, and it’s been exciting watching her be able to contribute meaningful minutes for her NWSL team over the past season,” she said.
Feeling Comfortable at San Diego Wave
It might be Ascanio’s second year in the NWSL, but she is already feeling comfortable with San Diego Wave. When she first signed for them, she could only describe them as an amazing club. “I want to thank everyone involved who has allowed me to represent this amazing club. I am looking forward to continuing to develop my skills and train in the best environment every single day with some of the best players in the world,” she said, according to UPSL Women.
One of the most important moments that the midfielder has had in her two years with the club was when she scored her first goal. That took place during the team’s match against the Chicago Stars. “It’s a huge moment for me. This is my second year in the league, and to finally put it in the back of the net … that’s just been my goal for a while. I’m very, very happy to be able to do that,” she said, according to The San Diego Union-Tribune.
Ascanio’s presence at the Wave doesn’t go unnoticed, either. Everyone on the team appreciates what she has been providing since she joined them. “This girl puts a lot of effort in, she’s 17, but she works her butt off – she worked on those headers all week, and she’s been putting in extra finishing work and extra training. This isn’t just luck. It isn’t ‘the right place at the right time.’ She deserves to be here, all of them do, and they’ve proven it,” said Kailen Sheridan, according to the Wave’s official website.
Kimmi Ascanio Is a Player to Watch
At just 17 years old, Kimmi Ascanio represents the next generation of soccer players in the USA. Her rapid rise from Florida youth leagues to a professional league with San Diego Wave shows how confident she is in her talent. One thing about her is how her playing style appears mature despite her young age. Ascanio’s journey can be used as an example of the growing investment in youth within the NWSL. Her consistent involvement with her club and national teams shows that age is not a barrier when it comes to making an impact. At this point, Kimmi Ascanio is the kind of player who will be one of the defining players of this new generation. Her dream of playing in the Women’s World Cup isn’t impossible.
Image via @kimmiascanio
_
GIRLS SOCCER NETWORK: YOUR SOURCE FOR GIRLS SOCCER NEWS