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Ella Bard Called up to the U.S. U-19 Women’s National Team
February 16, 2026 | Women's Soccer
It is the second time she has been named to the U19 squad this season
ATLANTA — University of Louisville freshman defender Ella Bard has been called up to the U.S. U-19 Women's National Team, U.S. Soccer announced Monday afternoon. She will take part in three friendly matches as the team travels to Portugal from Feb. 21 to March 7.
The USA will take on Czechia on Feb. 27 at Estadio Municipal de Arouca and Wales on March 2 at Estadio Conde Dias Garcia before finishing against host Portugal on March 6 back at Estadio Municipal de Arouca. These are the first international matches of 2026 for this group of players. Players born on or after Jan. 1, 2006, are age-eligible for next year's 2026 FIFA Women's U-20 World Cup in Poland.
This is the second time that Bard has been called up to the US Women's National Team during her freshman season. Back in October, Bard was called up to travel with the squad and take part in two friendlies against the Republic of Ireland and Portugal's U-19 squads.
In her freshman season with the Cards, Bard played in 16 matches and made seven starts. She made her collegiate debut against No. 17 Vanderbilt and earned her first career start against Wright State.
Bard has played all 90 minutes in four matches this season, three of those were clean sheet wins over USC Upstate, Coastal Carolina and Dayton. She played all 90 minutes on the road against No. 2 Notre Dame and she recorded her first career assist against the second-ranked Irish.
The USA will take on Czechia on Feb. 27 at Estadio Municipal de Arouca and Wales on March 2 at Estadio Conde Dias Garcia before finishing against host Portugal on March 6 back at Estadio Municipal de Arouca. These are the first international matches of 2026 for this group of players. Players born on or after Jan. 1, 2006, are age-eligible for next year's 2026 FIFA Women's U-20 World Cup in Poland.
This is the second time that Bard has been called up to the US Women's National Team during her freshman season. Back in October, Bard was called up to travel with the squad and take part in two friendlies against the Republic of Ireland and Portugal's U-19 squads.
In her freshman season with the Cards, Bard played in 16 matches and made seven starts. She made her collegiate debut against No. 17 Vanderbilt and earned her first career start against Wright State.
Bard has played all 90 minutes in four matches this season, three of those were clean sheet wins over USC Upstate, Coastal Carolina and Dayton. She played all 90 minutes on the road against No. 2 Notre Dame and she recorded her first career assist against the second-ranked Irish.
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