In Syosset, New York, where suburban backyards double as proving grounds, Loradana Paletta is already rewriting the script. At just 14, she’s the youngest player called up to the U.S. Under-17 Women’s National Team for the Four Nations Tournament in Mexico City.
That alone would be enough to raise eyebrows. But Paletta isn’t simply riding the youth soccer wave. She’s shaping it.
From early pickup games with her older brothers to becoming the first girl to earn a spot on NYCFC’s Boys U-14 Academy team, Paletta has consistently sought out challenges above her age group. She credits her father, a longtime youth coach, and her family’s backyard duels for fueling her drive.
“I always had a passion—I wanted to be better than them … playing with the boys makes me stronger,” she told the New York Post.
On the field, she plays like she’s two steps ahead. A midfielder with poise, vision, and fast feet, Paletta has impressed scouts with her ability to dictate tempo and stay calm under pressure. When U.S. Soccer named her to the U-17 roster, she was two to three years younger than most of her teammates. Coaches haven’t seemed concerned. They see her not just as a prospect, but as a player already ready for big moments.
And those moments are starting to pile up. This month, she also became the first amateur athlete in the U.S. to sign a NIL deal with Italian sportswear brand Lotto. While other brands chase viral TikTok stars, Lotto bet on a midfielder with a deep game and little flash. The partnership, guided in part by former MLS star Mike Magee, was framed as a long-term play. They’re backing someone who isn’t just talented, but authentic.
“I’m so proud to be Lotto’s first NIL athlete,” Paletta said. “Everything I wear from Lotto stands out and lets me express who I am.”
For Lotto, the move helps re-establish their presence in the American market. For Paletta, it’s a boost that supports her training, travel, and dreams—without rushing her into a pro career. She’s still in middle school. She’s still balancing homework and national team camps. But with a growing platform and steady performances, she’s emerging as one of U.S. Soccer’s most exciting young prospects.
Those who’ve watched her play say she’s got the rare ability to control a game’s rhythm, to resist pressure and make defenders miss. In a recent youth international match against Spain, she was called the best player on the field by observers. Not best American. Best, full stop.
As the U.S. U-17 team opens play in Mexico City, Paletta will be the youngest player on the pitch. But if her journey so far is any indication, she won’t look out of place.
She never has.
