The U.S. Under-17 Women’s National Team faced a tough challenge in their opening game of the 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, losing 3-1 to defending champions Spain. Despite a strong effort to recover from an early setback, the U.S. couldn’t overcome the experienced Spanish side.
Key Moments in the Match
- Early Setback: The U.S. conceded an own goal in the third minute after a shot from Spain’s Celia Segura hit the post and rebounded off American defender Jocelyn Travers into the net.
- U.S. Equalizer: The Americans responded well, with forward Melanie Barcenas scoring a brilliant goal in the 22nd minute, making it 1-1. The goal came after Kennedy Fuller fought to keep the ball alive, setting up Barcenas for a powerful shot.
- Late Goals by Spain: Spain regained the lead in the 70th minute when Noa Ortega volleyed the ball into the net after a shot hit the crossbar. They extended their advantage in the 83rd minute with a goal from Alba Cerrato, sealing the win.
Match Overview
- Date and Location: October 16, 2024, at Felix Sanchez Stadium, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
- Attendance: 3,234 spectators.
- Weather Conditions: Sunny and hot, around 88°F.
Scoring Summary
Team | Goal | Minute |
---|---|---|
ESP | Own Goal (Jocelyn Travers) | 3rd |
USA | Melanie Barcenas (Kennedy Fuller) | 22nd |
ESP | Noa Ortega | 70th |
ESP | Alba Cerrato (Noa Ortega) | 83rd |
Game Stats
- Shots: USA – 5, Spain – 11
- Shots on Goal: USA – 3, Spain – 5
- Saves: USA – 3, Spain – 2
- Corner Kicks: USA – 2, Spain – 2
- Fouls: USA – 10, Spain – 4
- Offside: USA – 6, Spain – 5
Analysis: U.S. Performance
- Resilience: The U.S. showed resilience by quickly equalizing after the own goal. Despite facing a team with a strong record at this level, they managed to keep the game even for a long time.
- Defense: The U.S. defense held up well for much of the game, limiting Spain’s opportunities. Key player Alba Cerrato was kept quiet until the 56th minute, with no attempts on goal.
- Missed Opportunities: The team struggled to create clear scoring chances. Barcenas’ substitution in the 63rd minute due to cramping weakened their attacking threat.
- Spanish Pressure: Spain’s experience showed as they found a way to break through in the second half with two late goals. The team’s ability to adapt their strategy, with Pau Comendador attempting a long-range shot that set up Ortega’s goal, demonstrated their tactical flexibility.
Spain’s Dominance in U-17 Women’s Soccer
- World Cup Success: Spain is the most successful team in the U-17 Women’s World Cup history, with two titles and five medals overall.
- European Achievements: The Spanish team also boasts five European championships and reached the final a record 11 times.
- 2024 European Win: Earlier this year, they claimed another European title, winning all five of their matches and finishing with an impressive goal difference of +18.
What’s Next for the U.S.?
- Upcoming Match: The U.S. will face Colombia on October 19, 2024, in another Group B match at Felix Sanchez Stadium. Colombia recently finished as runner-up in the South American U-17 Women’s Championship.
- Challenges Ahead: The U.S. aims to reach the knockout stages for the first time in consecutive tournaments but will need to perform strongly against Colombia to stay in contention.
Additional Notes
- Professional and College Players: The U.S. starting lineup featured four professional players and one college player.
- Substitutions: Head coach Katie Schoepfer used all five allowed substitutions, bringing on fresh legs to maintain the intensity.
Sources
- U.S. Soccer Official Website
- FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Official Page
- FS2 and Telemundo Sports Coverage
The U.S. team will look to bounce back and improve their chances of advancing in the tournament.
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