U.S. U20 Score Early and Often at Concacaf

by Victor Olorunfemi

May 27, 2023

Twenty-five seconds was all it took for the U.S. to take the lead through a Jordynn Dudley tap-in header, and they didn’t look back as they went on to defeat Panama 6-0. The Panamanians did little to help their cause, conceding three penalty kicks, all of which were goals.

The first goal came as Ella Emri played a perfectly weighted chipped through ball to Katherine Rader, who then played a brilliant cross to the back post for a Dudley header at the goal line. A few minutes later, the U.S. thought they had another that was ultimately ruled out for offsides, but it did nothing to slow the onslaught.

A work of art from the opening kick 🎨

🎥 » @ConcacafW

pic.twitter.com/HMgObXoAaB
— U.S. Soccer YNT (@USYNT) May 26, 2023

While Panama had a few moments in the attack that could have led to more, Teagan Wy and her backline never looked flustered. Two of the following three goals would come from two Ally Sentnor penalty kicks, as she won both for herself. In between was a Rader goal as she followed a rebound from a Savannah King shot for a relatively easy finish.

Duke commit Lauren Martinho made it five as she followed a defensive clearance just outside the six-yard box, and the sixth came as Sentnor was fouled a third time for a penalty, this time with UCLA star freshman Ally Lemos stepping up to score the final goal in the 71st.

Overall it was an efficient performance as the U.S. did what was expected against an overmatched Panama squad. A weather-impacted revised schedule will see the team play again in just two days against Jamaica.

Teagan Wy; Gisele Thompson (Leah Klenke), Elise Evans (Tessa Dellarose) Ella Emri, Savannah King; Shae Harvey, Ally Lemos, Jasmine Aikey (Lauren Martinho); Jordynn Dudley (Onyeka Gamero), Ally Sentnor (Maggie Cagle), Katherine Rader