Forward Melanie Barcenas scored the first of her two goals after just 30 seconds and the U.S. Under-17 Women’s Youth National Team cruised into the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup quarterfinals with a 5-0 win over Korea Republic at the Estadio Cibao FC.

The USA concluded Group B play in second place, three points behind reigning world champion Spain, which came from behind to defeat Colombia, 2-1, in a game that was played simultaneously in Santo Domingo. That was sufficient to secure a quarterfinal place for the third time in six FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup appearances. The Americans will meet the Group A winner, which will be determined later today, on Oct. 26 at 3:30 p.m. ET back at the Estadio Cibao FC.

Nigeria leads Group A with six points after the first two matches with Ecuador in second on three points. Nigeria eliminated the Americans from the 2022 FIFA U-17 WWC on penalty kicks after their quarterfinal ended, 1-1. That was the USA’s first knockout-stage appearance since a runner-up finish at the inaugural event in 2008. The U.S. now has reached the quarterfinals in consecutive U-17 World Cups for the first time.

Kennedy Fuller, Mary Long and Maddie Padelski also scored against South Korea, while Barcenas added an assist to her brace. Barcenas (San Diego Wave) and Fuller (Angel City) are two of the unprecedented four professional players on this U-17 squad, while Long (Duke) and Padelski (Alabama) are two of the team’s four collegians. Goalkeeper Evan O’Steen made two saves and earned her second consecutive World Cup shutout.

With a quarterfinal berth at stake, U.S. coach Katie Schoepfer made just one change to the lineup that dominated Colombia in a 2-0 triumph three days earlier in Santo Domingo. It was in defense, where FC Dallas center back Kiara Gilmore, who started the opener, returned in place of fellow Texan Jordyn Hardeman. The USA then picked up in Santiago de los Caballeros right where it had left off in the Dominican capital, overwhelming South Korea from the opening whistle.

Barcenas scored with the Americans’ first touches of the ball. Korea kicked off and after knocking the ball around its own half, the left back hit a wayward square pass that was picked off by Barcenas. The left winger raced toward goal and tallied her second of the tournament with a 25-yard shot into the upper-left corner as just thirty seconds had elapsed. It was the fastest U.S. goal in the history of the U-17 Women’s World Cup and the third-fastest all time (New Zealand’s Grace Wisnewski, who plays for USL Super League side Lexington SC, scored after 20 seconds in 2018).

Barcenas then set the table for Fuller as the U.S. doubled its lead in the 10th. Barcenas dribbled inside from the left touchline and Fuller made a well-timed run into the penalty area. The Angel City rookie took one touch to settle Barcenas’ pass then turned and fired a left-footed shot across the face of goal and inside the right post. It was Fuller’s second goal of the World Cup and her 11th in 11 career U-17 appearances.

By then, Colombia had taken an early lead over Spain in Santo Domingo, meaning the USA and Spain were temporarily tied for first place with six points apiece. Spain had already booked its place in the quarterfinals and was resting several starters, and at that point the Americans trailed on goal difference by four. The incentive to continue attacking was there, but the USA was unable to notch a third before halftime despite near-constant pressure and several close calls. It held an 11-1 advantage in shots at intermission.

Shortly after play resumed in the second half yet another Korean defensive miscue led to another U.S. goal. This time it took 108 seconds after the opening whistle. Goalkeeper Woo Sumin took too long to distribute the ball in the 47th minute and U.S. midfielder Kimmi Ascanio took advantage, charging the netminder and deflecting her clearance into the path of Barcenas, her Wave teammate. Barcenas curled a long-range shot into the empty net for her second goal of the match and third of the World Cup.

With Spain having equalized in Santo Domingo and second place in the group practically assured for the USA, Schoepfer substituted Fuller and Barcenas with an eye on the quarterfinal. Moments later, in the 68th minute, the Americans scored yet again thanks to a ruthless conversion off another Korean turnover. Ascanio forced this one as well, intercepting a pass and feeding Long for a well-hit rip that went in off the underside of the crossbar.

Substitute forward Padelski, who relieved Micayla Johnson at the start of the second half, scored the fifth and final U.S. goal in the 86th. She calmly dribbled toward the top of the Korean penalty area, cut to her right and hit a shot that slipped through the hands of Woo and into the net. It was Padelski’s first goal for the U-17s.
GOAL SCORING RUNDOWN

USA - Melanie Barcenas, 1st minute: Barcenas intercepted a wayward square ball from Korean defender Shin Sunghee, took a couple quick touches and unleashed a 25-yard rocket that found the upper-left corner of the net. USA 1, KOR 0

USA - Kennedy Fuller (Melanie Barcenas), 10th minute: Barcenas dribbled almost unopposed from the left sideline into the Korean penalty area, froze two defenders and slipped a pass inside to Fuller. Fuller’s perfect first touch allowed her to turn on the ball and place a six-yard, left-footed shot inside the right post. USA 2, KOR 0

USA - Melanie Barcenas, 47th minute: U.S. midfielder Kimmi Ascanio alertly closed down Korean goalkeeper Woo Sumin and deflected an attempted clearance toward Barcenas, who was standing in the left channel about 30 yards out. Barcenas calmly side-footed a first-time shot into the empty Korean net. USA 3, KOR 0

USA - Mary Long (Kimmi Ascanio), 68th minute: Ascanio’s pressure proved decisive once again as she got her foot to a pass from a Korean defender and then quickly touched the ball toward Long. Long turned to her left and set up a 24-yard blast that went in off the underside of the crossbar. USA 4, KOR 0

USA - Maddie Padelski (Jocelyn Travers), 86th minute: Padelski, a halftime substitute, received an uncontested pass from left back Jocelyn Travers and then dribbled unopposed to the top of the penalty area, where she cut right and curled a shot toward goal. Korean goalkeeper Woo Sumin got her hands to it but the ball spun through her grasp and over the line. USA 5, KOR 0 FINAL
Additional Notes:

The five-goal margin of victory was tied for the third biggest U.S. win at a FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. The Americans routed host India, 8-0, in their 2022 opener. They defeated Gambia, 6-0, in 2012 and beat Paraguay, 6-1, in 2016.
Melanie Barcenas leads the USA in scoring in this tournament with three goals. Kennedy Fuller has two.
The USA’s four professional players were once again in the starting lineup in forward Melanie Barcenas and midfielders Kimmi Ascanio, Kennedy Fuller, who captained the USA, and Ainsley McCammon.
University of Alabama forward Maddie Padelski came off the bench for the third straight game.
Forward Mary Long’s goal was her first of the World Cup and third of her U-17 career.

-U.S. UNDER-17 WOMEN’S YOUTH NATIONAL TEAM MATCH REPORT-

Match: United States Under-17 Women’s Youth National Team vs. Korea Republic
Date: Oct. 22, 2024
Competition: 2024 FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup – Group B
Venue: CFC Stadium; Santiago de Los Caballeros, Dominican Republic
Attendance: 748
Kickoff: 4 p.m. local (4 p.m. ET)
Weather: 88 degrees and cloudy
Scoring Summary 1 2 F
USA 2 3 5
KOR 0 0 0
USA – Melanie Barcenas 1st minute
USA – Kennedy Fuller (Melanie Barcenas) 10
USA – Melanie Barcenas 47
USA – Mary Long (Kimmi Ascanio) 67
USA – Maddie Padelski (Jocelyn Travers) 86

Lineups:
USA: 21-Evan O'Steen; 15-Katie Scott (18-Daya King, 46), 3-Trinity Armstrong, 5-Kiara Gilmore, 2-Jocelyn Travers; 6-Ainsley McCammon, 7-Kimmi Ascanio, 10-Kennedy Fuller (Capt.) (8-Y-Lan Nguyen, 61); 17-Micayla Johnson (11-Maddie Padelski, 46), 20-Mary Long (14-Leena Powell, 81), 13-Melanie Barcenas (16-Scottlyn Antonucci, 67)
Substitutes not used: 1-Molly Vapensky, 4-Jordyn Hardeman,9-Anna Babcock, 12-Wicki Dunlap, 19-Jaiden Rodriguez
Head coach: Katie Schoepfer

KOR: 1-Woo Sumin; 2-Shin Dain (6-Lim Yeji, 60), 4-Shin Sunghee, 13-Ryoo Jihae (12-Baek Jieun, 46, 10-Yang Jimin, 90+4), 20-Noh Sieun (Capt.), 19-Jung Hayun; 7-Kim Yeeun, 8-Beom Yeju, 15-Kim Minseo (14-Han Gukhee, 42), 16-Park Jiyu; 9-Casey Phair (11-Seo Minjeong, 60)
Substitutes not used: 3-Kim Hanah, 5-Shin Yuna, 12-Baek Jieun, 17-Na Sarang, 18-Jeong Haerim, 21-Jung Yujeong
Head coach: Kim Eunjung

Stats Summary: USA / KOR
Shots: 19 / 3
Shots on Goal: 9 / 2
Saves: 2 / 4
Corner Kicks: 5 / 0
Fouls: 12 / 9
Offside: 5 / 0