Record Setting U.S. Win U17 Concacaf Title

Record Setting U.S. Win U17 Concacaf Title
by Victor Olorunfemi
February 11, 2024
Players featured in this article:
MF | San Diego Wave
MF | San Diego Wave
Riley Cross |  2025
MF | PDA
F | FC Dallas
D | Solar SC
F | Fairfax Virginia Union
Daya King |  2025
D | Legends FC
MF | Seattle Reign
F | KC Current
MF | Tudela FC
Mya Townes |  2025
F | FC Virginia
D | Bay Area Surf
GK | FC United (IL)

Three first-half goals propelled the U.S. U17 to a record-setting 4-0 win versus hosts Mexico and a fourth Concacaf title in a row. Mya Townes, Kimmi Ascanio, and an own goal made the score 3-0 just 30 minutes in, followed by a second-half strike from Alexandra Pfeiffer to round out the scoring and set a U17 Concacaf Final record for the largest margin of victory.

An American squad that has scored in all manners opened the scoring on a scrappy Townes goal 11 minutes in as she was first to react as the ball bounced around the box following a corner kick.

Reflecting on the early goal in the post-game conference, Townes spoke about the importance of a fast start. “We knew that we had to put our best foot forward.”

The early deficit had the dual effect of silencing the home crowd and forcing Mexico to adjust its game plan, setting the template for a massive momentum swing.

And sure enough, 20 minutes later, the score had ballooned to 3-0 courtesy of an Ascanio shot into an open net set up by a selfless Carrie Helfrich pass, then an own-goal forced by a ferocious Kennedy Fuller cross into the six-yard box.

Credit to Mexico, they did come out with more intensity and focus in the second half, retaining possession for longer spells. But all hopes of a comeback were squashed in the 62nd minute as a mishit clearance bounced in favor of Pfeiffer, who rolled the ball into an empty goal. The Saint Louis native, who is never intimidated by any atmosphere, earned a yellow card for her celebrations as she placed her index finger over her lips to shush the rowdy home crowd.

As the final whistle blew, the celebration commenced on one of the most dominant Concacaf showings for a U.S. U17 national team, as this iteration scored 32 and conceded just twice in six games. The victory makes it four straight and six total Concacaf Women’s U17 triumphs for the U.S.

U.S. Lineup: Molly Vapensky; Trinity Armstrong, Kiara Gilmore, Daya King; Katie Scott (Jordyn Hardeman), Leena Powell (Alexandra Pfeiffer), Kennedy Fuller, Ainsley McCammon; Carrie Helfrich (Jocelyn Travers), Kimmi Ascanio (Riley Cross), Mya Townes (Melanie Barcenas)

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