It may not have been as jaw-dropping as their opener against Panama, but the U.S. took care of business at the U17 Concacaf Championship with a 3-1 victory over Puerto Rico. A heavily changed team that saw nine new players enter the line-up outshot their opponents 26 to 2 while maintaining hefty possession.

The opening goal came in the 28th minute as a Kimmi Ascanio free-kick was headed across goal by Riley Cross for Carrie Helfrich to finish at the back post. It was a deserved lead as Puerto Rico keeper Kailey Carlen had done well in the opening minutes to turn away multiple attempts. Carlen, a U.S.-based product of Rebels SC, proved formidable all afternoon as she made ten saves to keep the score respectable.

Carrie Helfrich opens up the scoring for the @usynt 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/FZipvaEX2D

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) February 4, 2024

The second goal came just a few minutes later, as Leena Powell won a penalty kick for a second straight game as Jocelyn Travers converted her attempt. Not to be deterred, Puerto Rico struck back seconds later with a breathtaking strike from Maliya Maldonado, who beat multiple defenders before unleashing a dart from long-range. It will have been an extra fulfilling moment for Maldonado as a Florida-born player coming up against the best the U.S. has to offer.

🇵🇷 Golazo de Maliya Maldonado ante USA pic.twitter.com/oUH0rdEHS5

— Saquedemeta.net (@SaquedeMetaPR) February 4, 2024

A few second-half changes sped up the tempo as substitute Mya Townes scored the third on a clever through ball from Y-Lan Nguyen, who played the full 90 after not appearing in the opening match.

Mya Townes finds her third in her last two matches and makes it three today for the USA 🇺🇸@USYNT pic.twitter.com/6NsJmoHoq1

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) February 4, 2024

The U.S. will now prep for a final group game against Canada on Tuesday in a matchup to decide who gains the higher seed for the semifinals.

U.S. Lineup: Kennedy Zorn; Kiara Gilmore, Jocelyn Travers, Trinity Armstrong (Jordyn Hardeman), Alexis Coughlin (Katie Scott); Riley Cross, Kimmi Ascanio (Melanie Barcenas), Y-Lan Nguyen; Rylee McLanahan (Alexandra Pfeiffer), Leena Powell (Mya Townes), Carrie Helfrich

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