U17 USWNT Victorious Over Canada
The US Under-17 Women’s National Team earned a dramatic victory over Canada in penalty kicks after a 1-1 tie at the 4 Nations Tournament in Mexico City.
TL;DR:
Canada Takes Early Lead
The game started slowly for the young Americans. Canada struck first in the 41st minute when Chloe Taylor headed in a cross from Lacey Kindel. The goal came off a set play that caught the US defense off guard.
The first half showed that these young players needed time to settle into such an important international match. The nerves were clearly there early on.
The US had some good chances in the first half too. Midfielder Jaiden Rodriguez nearly scored twice – once with a free kick that the Canadian goalkeeper had to push away, and another shot that hit the crossbar and post.
Second Half Comeback
After halftime, the US team looked completely different. They controlled the ball better and put lots of pressure on Canada’s defense. The American coaches made smart substitutions that gave the team fresh energy.
With just two minutes left in the game, the US earned a corner kick. Scottie Antonucci sent a perfect cross to the far post, where Sydney Schmidt jumped through traffic and headed the ball into the net. The crowd went wild!
Penalty Kick Drama
When the game ended 1-1, tournament rules said both teams had to take penalty kicks. The winner would get an extra point in the standings.
The US players stayed calm under pressure. Schmidt, Lauren Malsom, Antonucci, and team captain PearlCecil all scored their penalty kicks. When Canada’s fourth shooter missed by kicking the ball over the goal, Nyanya Touray stepped up for the US and scored the winning shot.
PKs are the most nerve-wracking part of soccer, but these young Americans showed they have the mental strength to handle big moments.
Looking Ahead
The tournament continues with the US facing Costa Rica next, then Mexico to finish group play. Right now, the US and Mexico are tied for first place with two points each.
This tournament is important practice for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup happening in Morocco this October. The US team has qualified for this World Cup five times in a row, showing how strong the youth program has become!
Featured Image source: https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2025/07/u-17-womens-national-team-draws-canada-4-nations-tournament-mexico-city
Written By: Beau Bridges
Beau is the founder of SoccerNovo, dedicated to helping players and parents navigate the youth soccer landscape. As a former youth coach and soccer parent, he shares insights on player development, recruiting, and the ever-evolving soccer scene in the U.S.
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