Wadsworth's Ella Bard set to play in U-20 Women's World Cup

Growing up in Wadsworth, Ella Bard always dreamed of representing the United States on the soccer field. As she prepares for the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in Poland with her teammates, the realization of that dream still hasn't fully arrived. "There's no way of describing reaching a goal and a dream that you've had since you were a little girl," she said in a phone interview from her hotel in Poland. "It's kind of surreal at moments. I'm here and I still haven't been able to be like, 'Oh, my gosh, I'm here at the World Cup and I get to represent the U.S.' It's one of the best feelings ever." Bard is one of 21 Americans selected for the tournament, beginning with the first pool play game Sunday against Italy. The United States is in Group D of the six groups consisting of 24 qualifying countries. Following the game against the Italians, the U.S. will face Japan on Wednesday and New Zealand on Sept. 12. The Americans have never faced Italy or New Zealand at the U-20 Women's World Cup but are 0-2-1 in the past three tournaments against Japan. The first two games will be played in Stadion Miejski in Lodz, Poland, with the final game in Arena Sosnowiec in Sosnowiec, Poland. All games will be broadcast on the Fox family of networks and streaming platforms. "We're going to be playing some of the best teams in the world," Bard said. "I'm excited to get on the field with my teammates that have been working so hard. We have such a special group of girls. I can't wait to start playing with them." The top two teams in each group, plus the four best third-place teams, advance to the knockout stage with the hopes of playing in the Sept. 27 championship. The United States, which won in 2002, 2008 and 2012, is looking to break a three-way tie with Germany and North Korea for the most championships. Bard, one of seven defenders on the team, knows that staying locked in on the task at hand at all times is important. "Obviously, the goal is to win it all and walk away as world champions," she said. "Something we've been focused on is taking it one step at a time. We're not looking too far ahead to that moment, because nothing is guaranteed here." Bard, who was homeschooled and graduated in 2025, began her soccer journey with the Wadsworth Amateur Soccer Association and said the organization was where her love of the game began. She went on to play for the Internationals Soccer Club before committing to the University of Louisville, where she is currently a sophomore. She credits her hometown roots for helping her accomplish so many of her goals. "Wadsworth is such a special place," she said. "I think the people there is really what makes the place. Their support means the world to me." Chief among that support for Bard is her family, which includes her mom Debbie, who won a state championship in basketball with the Grizzlies in 1997 with her twin sister, Tammy. Bard is first cousins with current Wadsworth soccer standout Athena Craig and 2025 Gazette Female Athlete of the Year Cece Craig, who is currently a sophomore forward for Ashland University. "I would not be where I'm at without the amount of support and the amount of love that I have received throughout my entire career," Bard said. "My entire family are my rock. Having my family support me has been so special." When Bard isn't competing for the United States, she plays for Louisville, where she's appeared in three games this season and scored her first collegiate goal in a 5-1 win over the Indiana University-Indianapolis. Bard played in 16 games as a freshman, including seven starts, with one assist. "I'm so happy that I chose (Louisville) during my recruiting process," she said. "It's been a huge step for me to get where I'm at right now. My teammates, coaches and all of the staff there, I truly would not be where I'm at without their support." While Bard and her teammates are focused on the job in Poland, they also have had some time to explore the country, which she described as "gorgeous and super safe." In her time with United State Soccer, which included playing in some friendlies for the U-19 team last season, Bard has also traveled to Portugal twice and Spain. The opportunity to see so many places is something that Bard doesn't take for granted. "It's just amazing that this sport is able to take me to so many cool places," she said. "They were all great." Bard hopes the game continues to take her to more amazing places and new heights as she looks to continue to climb the ranks of United States Soccer and eventually play professionally. For now, she is fully invested in the moment and the chance to represent her country. "I'm extremely honored for the opportunity," Bard said. "There's a lot of emotions that come with it. There's excitement. There's nervousness, but I think there's a lot more excitement and pride to have the opportunity it represent my country on the highest stage. I'm super pumped." Contact John Urchek at jurchek@medina-gazette.com.