Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic (October 30, 2024) – The United States U-17 Women’s Youth National Team will compete for third place at the 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup after dropping a close 1-0 loss to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in the semifinals. After a 69-minute defensive stalemate, two-time U-17 Women’s World Cup winner Ro Eun-hyang broke through with an impressive blow and advanced to the finals.
The game was the United States’ first appearance in the semifinals since the 2008 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, and was a rematch of the final of that tournament, which the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea won 2-1 in overtime. The United States will play in the third-place match on Nov. 3 at 2:30 p.m. ET, guaranteeing their best finish since finishing runner-up 16 years ago.
U.S. head coach Katie Schepfer made two changes to the starting lineup that beat Nigeria 2-0 in the quarterfinals, placing Mikayla Johnson up front in place of Madi Padelski and replacing Daya King. Katie Scott was placed at right-back.
This game featured two of the tournament’s strongest defenses, and both teams had not conceded a goal in their previous three games. That unyielding determination was on full display for most of the game, with just two of the 17 shots on target on the night.
Neither team posed a serious threat in the first half. The Asian champions pounced on a poor pass from behind by the United States and fired the first shot of the match, giving the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea the lead in the third minute. Just two minutes later, North Korea almost got a penalty when Scott tackled Choi Il Sung, who had entered the box, but Schepfer challenged the decision in a video review and the penalty was canceled. Ta.
The United States was in the game throughout the first half and found several chances early on. After a good free kick in the 39th minute, forward Mary Long fired the ball over the crossbar from just beyond the penalty spot. Perhaps the Americans looked most dangerous in the 44th minute, when Kimi Ascanio of the San Diego Wave drove into the box and dished to Johnson. Johnson took a touch and then lofted his shot.
Midway through the second half, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea finally broke through. In the 69th minute, Seo Ryu-kyung sent a bouncing ball into the box, and while America cleared the first cross, Ro Eun-hyang waited at the top of the penalty arc and fired a rocket into the right side net. The goal ended America’s 346-minute scoreless streak in this tournament, including three consecutive shutouts in the last three games.
The U.S. was determined to score the tying goal in the final 20 minutes. Coach Schöpfer made a number of substitute appearances in hopes of finding an equalizer, bringing on Lee Lan Nguyen and Jayden Rodriguez in the 77th minute.
The match opened up as the second half progressed, with both teams finding more chances.
Choi Rim Jeong hit a shot over the bar in the 77th minute, and the Americans thought they had a chance to tie the score with a penalty in the 83rd minute. Ri Ye-kyung scrambled for the ball with Kennedy Fuller as she made her way to the end line, and Schepfer again called for a penalty call due to North Korea’s physical defense, but the referee confirmed the no-call after a video review.
Despite several threats from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in the closing stages, the American defense held out strong to keep any hopes alive in the final minutes, but they were unable to score the tying goal in the final seconds.
Goal score summary
PRK — Ro Eun-hyang, 69 minutes: Choi Rim Jeong ran up the right side and passed to Seo Ryu Gon deep on the side. She sent a looping cross into the box and Daya King was there to remove the initial danger, but the ball fell to Ro Eun-hyang, who was lurking at the top of the arc. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea midfielder fired a left-footed half-volley into the right side of the goal, resulting in the winning goal. PRK 1, America 0
Additional notes
- The USA’s consecutive scoreless streak now stands at 346 minutes, breaking the previous record of 184 minutes set in 2012 and setting a new record for this tournament.
- The four American professional players are Kimi Ascanio, Melanie Bárcenas, Kennedy Fuller (USA captain) and Ainsley McCammon are back in the starting lineup.
- This was the second loss for this group of U.S. U-17s during this World Cup cycle. Current record is 11 wins, 2 losses and 1 draw.
~U.S. U-17 Women’s Youth National Team Match Report~
Match: United States U-17 Women’s Youth National Team vs. Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
date: October 30, 2024
competition: 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup – Semi-finals
venue: CFC Stadium; Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic
Attendance: 2,408
kick off: 7:00 PM local time (7:00 PM ET)
weather: 74 degrees, cloudy
| Score overview | 1 | 2 | F |
| united states of america | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| PRK | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| PRK – Ro Eun Hyang | 69 minutes |
Lineup:
united states of america: 21- Evan Osteen. 15-Katie Scott (18 Daya King, 59), 3-Trinity Armstrong, 5-Kiara Gilmore, 2-Jocelyn Travers. 6-Ainsley McCammon, 10-Kennedy Fuller (Capt.), 7-Kimi Ascanio (8-Y-Lan Nguyen, 76), 17-Mikayla Johnson (11-Maddie Padelski, 59), 20-Mary・Long, 13-Melanie Bárcenas (19-Haiden Rodriguez, 76)
Substitutes not used: 1-Molly Bapenski, 4-Jordyn Hardeman, 9-Anna Babcock, 11-Maddi Padelski, 12-Wickie Dunlap, 14-Lina Powell, 16-Scottie Antonucci
Head Coach: Katie Schepfer
PRK: 1- Park Ju-kyung (captain); 3- Jeon Bok-young, 5- Ri Ye-kyung, 14- Park Il-sim, 16- Ri Beom. 7-Jung Il-cheon (4-Song Cho Ye 85), 19-Ro Eun-hyang, 8-Seo Ryu-kyung, 11-Choi Rim-jung. 15- Choi Il Sung, 12- Kang Ryu Mi (10-Ho Kyung, 55)
Substitute players not used: 2- Choi Chung-gum, 6- Park Ok-ui, 9- Ri Soo-jung, 13- Choi Yong-ah, 18- Choi Kyung-mi, 20- Ahn Kyung-young, 21- Hong Ryumi
Head coach: Song Sung-kwon
Statistical overview: USA / PRK
Shot: 5 / 12
Number of shots on goal: 0 / 2
Save: 1 / 0
Corner kick: 1 / 3
Fouls: 8 / 10
Offside: 1/1
Summary of fraud:
USA – Jocelyn Travers (Caution) 47 minutes
Persons involved:
Referee: Alina Pes (ROU)
AR1: Daniela Constantinescu (ROU)
AR2: Anita Vad (SRB)
4th Officer: Carolyn Kaivoya (EST)
