BARCELONA, Spain (April 10, 2024) – In the opening game of the 2024 id2 National Selection International Tour, the id2 girls team defeated FC Barcelona’s U-14 academy team, 2-1. It was the first of four opponents the ’10 squad will face in Spain.

Sadie Siedel (Mustang SC) started the scoring, finding the back of the net in the 9th minute, assisted by Sophia Fleming (San Diego Surf). The id2 team had several chances to extend their lead in the first half, but FC Barcelona’s back line held strong defensively. FC Barcelona leveled the score before half, finding the back of the net in the 29th minute. The game remained tied 1-1 going into halftime. The Americans would strike again, though, early in the second half. Alexis Newman (Richmond United) scored in the 54th minute via a skillful solo effort. The id2 team tallied nine shots on goal and five saves in net from goalkeeper Bella Martin (Legends FC).

The 2024 id2 National Selection girls team faces four worthy challengers in Spain, splitting its time between Barcelona and Madrid:

• April 10 vs. FC Barcelona
• April 12 vs. FC Levante Las Planas
• April 16 vs. Real Madrid
• April 17 vs. Madrid CFF

The matches take the teams to several sites in Spain, which speaks to the value of cultural immersion on this trip. These clubs offer unique training styles and developmental experiences that the id2 National Selection teams will see first-hand. Cultural immersion isn’t limited to matches and training sessions, though; the American delegation will also attend professional men’s and women’s games and tour stadiums in Barcelona and Madrid.

The 2024 id2 National Selection International Tour (girls) officially began April 5 with a two-day domestic camp in Virginia before traveling to Barcelona for the first half of the Spain stay and then Madrid for the remainder. The tour, which concludes April 18, represents the final progression of the current id2 age group cycle targeting players born in 2010.

The id2 National Selection boys squad kicked off their tour today in New Jersey, and will face a quartet of opponents in Lisbon and Porto during their stay in Portugal. For updates on the boys trip, please visit the 2024 id2 International Tours web page and browse Instagram for video and photo content.

The id2 Program is a leader in player identification and development, as it provides opportunities for elite athletes to be identified, developed and scouted for inclusion in U.S. Soccer’s youth national team programming. The id2 Program is an Olympic Development Program approved by the United States Olympic Committee and the U.S. Soccer Federation. There is no cost for players to participate or be scouted, and all meals, lodging and gear are provided by US Club Soccer and Nike. For the international tour, all travel costs are also covered by US Club Soccer. This approach to eliminating barriers to entry helps ensure the best players are able to participate.

Follow @USClubSoccer throughout the 2024 id2 National Selection International Tour on Instagram, X, Facebook and YouTube for coverage. A highlight video of each game will be available on social media.