San Diego Wave FC made history on Saturday night, and it came from the youth. For the first time in NWSL history, three 17-year-olds started the same regular season match, and all three were U.S. U-17 Youth National Team standouts.

Kimmi Ascanio, Trinity Armstrong, and Melanie Barcenas not only earned starting nods but played key roles in San Diego’s 3-0 road win over the Chicago Stars. The trio’s presence marked a landmark moment for the league’s next generation—and for a Wave side embracing the future with confidence.

Barcenas helped create the opening goal in the 31st minute when she received the second pass from a clever short corner that kept the Chicago defense off balance. After a deflection in the box, Armstrong used her positioning to redirect the ball to Hanna Lundkvist, who drilled it home.

Armstrong, making her first NWSL start, helped anchor the Wave’s back line and was involved in disrupting Chicago’s buildup on multiple occasions outside of the opening goal.

And in the final moments, it was Ascanio who delivered the exclamation point: her first professional goal, a cheeky outside-of-the-foot finish from a pass from Adriana Leon, sealing a milestone night.

With the win, San Diego secured its first clean sheet of the season and climbed to third in the standings. But a huge story of the night was the fearless energy shown by their youngest players—a glimpse of what’s to come for both the U.S. and the Wave.

The Wave return home next week for a matchup against Bay FC — led by none other than Abby Dahlkemper, the first player ever signed by San Diego. Kickoff is on Sunday, May 4 at 8:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM PT. The match will stream live on Paramount+, Golazo, and NWSL+.