CHICAGO, Ill. (June 15, 2022) – Chicago Red Stars rookie, Ava Cook, will join the United States Under-23 Women's Youth National Team for their international friendly matches. The team will travel to Sweden at the end of the month and will take on Sweden and India’s U-23 teams.
“First and foremost, I’m beyond honored to receive this incredible opportunity,” said Cook. “I am humbled for the chance to play alongside and against some of the best players in world at the top level, and more excited to learn from those around me!”
Last December the Red Stars selected Cook with their first pick (18th overall) in the 2022 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) draft. Since then, Cook has worked her way onto the pitch earning consistent minutes in the NWSL Challenge Cup and regular season. This regular season, Cook has played in eight matches, starting in four, for a total of 477 minutes. The young forward scored her first NWSL goal in San Diego against the Wave and is currently leading the league in assists with three.
While this is Cook’s first call-up to the U-23 team, the Michigan native is no stranger to the team. Back in March, when the Red Stars participated in a pre-season tournament in Portland, Cook took the field against the U.S. U-23 team as one of her first experiences playing with the Red Stars. Now, Cook joins the team in the hopes of contributing to wins against Sweden and India.