U.S. U17 WNT Geared Up for their Final Group Play Match — and Lost to Japan
Update: USA is now unfortunately out of the 2016 U-17 WOMEN’S WORLD CUP after a sad loss to Japan in Group D. The loss to the defending champ was a close 3-2 — Ashley Sanchez scored twice for the Red, White and Blue — opening with the first goal but the match was not to end with a USA Victory.
Everything changed in the 68th minute; on another field at the same time, Ghana was testing their strength against Paraguay and scored — winning the match 1-0 and leaving the USA in a difficult position to advance – a win over Japan was necessary and not to be.
According the the U.S. Soccer website, U.S. U-17 WNT head coach B.J. Snow said, “I couldn’t have been more proud of how resilient our players were in the first half and the second half, as you saw from the game, our girls never quit.”
“When you play Japan, in order to win you have to expend so much energy for 90 minutes. And we’ve done it. We beat them three times in a row before tonight. We know what it feels like, and we know what if feels like to coach against them. It is ridiculously hard. You know you’re going to give up chances against Japan, that is inevitable. Our goalkeeper had a really great game, our defense had a great game, and in the end, you have to tip your hat sometimes. The chances that they get, they put them away. We had a couple that we didn’t put away. That’s how the game goes, you take care of your chances and you need a break sometimes. We didn’t get any breaks today,” said Snow.
From Earlier before the Match: The U17 WNT is looking to upset reigning FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup Champions Japan on Saturday after winning and falling in their opening two matches of the tournament.
Youth Soccer News: With the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup underway, the United States U17 Women’s National Team are heading into their final match of group play tomorrow with kickoff set for 12:00 p.m. ET.
The United States have returned to the biggest stage in Jordan after failing to qualify for the 2014 edition of the tournament held in Costa Rica.
USA Group Stage
The United States are joined by Japan, Ghana and Paraguay in Group D.
The U.S. were led by forward Civana Kuhlmann who recorded a hat-trick in the team’s 6-1 opening win versus Paraguay. Midfielder Frankie Tagliaferri, right back Kiara Pickett and forward Ashley Sanchez each added single goals in a dominating performance from the United States to give them their first victory of the tournament.
The young Americans stalled versus Ghana in their second match on Tuesday, falling 2-1. Tagliaferri put the United States on the board in the 5th minute goal, but Ghana brought the match level in the 63rd minute thanks to Gifty Acheampong. Captain Sandra Owusu-Ansah gave the African side the lead in the 84th minute from the penalty spot to record their first win of the tournament.
The team’s final match of group play will be held on Saturday at 12:00 p.m. ET when they face off against Japan. The previous FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup saw Japan hoist their first title after defeating Spain 2-0 in the final.
USA Squad
Head coach B.J. Snow named 21 players that are currently representing the United States in Jordan after nine months of preparation this calendar year. Snow has taken the squad through nine training camps/events and 12 international matches in 2016.
“This is an immensely exciting time for our players and staff,” Snow said. “After a thorough evaluation process over the course of the last two years, we feel that we have selected a group of players capable of embracing the challenges that a World Cup presents.
So Cal Blues highlights the U17 squad with four players currently representing its club in Jordan. Head Coach Randy Dodge acknowledges the work ethic of the players and the Blues organization for having influence on developing top youth talent.
“I’ve been with the Blues for 20 years, and a lot of personnel within the club have a hand at making this jump,” said Dodge.
Hillary Beall, Karina Rodriguez, Kennedy Wesley and Ashley Sanchez will be showcasing their talent on the biggest stage for SC Blues. The historic mark is the first time four players from a single club have been named to a world cup team.
United States 2016 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup Team Roster :
GOALKEEPERS (3): Hillary Beall (So Cal Blues; Laguna Beach, Calif.), Laurel Ivory (West Florida Flames; Surfside, Fla.), Meagan McClelland (PDA; Kearny, N.J.)
DEFENDERS (7): Naomi Girma (Central Valley Crossfire; San Jose, Calif.), Kiara Pickett (Eagles; Santa Barbara, Calif.), Isabel Rodriguez (Michigan Hawks; Canton, Mich.), Karina Rodriguez (So Cal Blues; Torrance, Calif.) Emily Smith (De Anza Force; Los Gatos, Calif.), Kennedy Wesley (So Cal Blues; Rossmoor, Calif.), Kate Wiesner (Slammers FC; Monrovia, Calif.)
MIDFIELDERS (7): Jordan Canniff (Richmond United; California, Md.), Lia Godfrey (Jacksonville Armada; Fleming Island, Fla.), Jaelin Howell (Real Colorado; Windsor, Colo.), Brianna Pinto (CASL; Durham, N.C.), Alexa Spaanstra (Michigan Hawks; Brighton, Mich.), Frankie Tagliaferri (PDA; Colts Neck, N.J.), Sydney Zandi (Penn Fusion; West Chester, Penn.)
FORWARDS (4): Civana Kuhlmann (Colorado Rush; Littleton, Colo.), Adrienne Richardson (Minnesota Thunder Academy; Oakdale, Minn.), Ashley Sanchez (So Cal Blues; Monrovia, Calif.), Sophia Smith (Real Colorado; Windsor, Colo.)
Photo Credit: U.S. Soccer
