The U.S. Under-17 Women’s Youth National Team will play for third place at the 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup after dropping a tightly contested 1-0 result to Korea DPR in the semifinals. After 69 minutes of a defensive stalemate, the two-time U-17 Women’s World Cup champions broke through with an impressive strike from Ro Un Hyang to reach the tournament final.

The match marked the USA’s first semifinal appearance since the inaugural 2008 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup and a rematch of that tournament’s final, a 2-1 extra time victory for Korea DPR. The USA will contest the Third-Place Match on Nov. 3 at 2:30 p.m. ET, guaranteeing its best result since its runner-up finish 16 years ago.

U.S. head coach Katie Schoepfer made two changes to the Starting XI that took down Nigeria, 2-0, in the quarterfinals, inserting Micayla Johnson on the forward line for Maddie Padelski and placing Katie Scott at right back for Daya King.

The match-up featured two of the tournament’s strongest defensive squads, with neither side conceding a goal in their last three games. That steely resolve was on full display for much of the match, as just two of the night’s combined 17 shots were on target.

In the first half, neither team seriously threatened. Korea DPR got off on the front foot as the Asian champion pounced on a poor U.S. pass out of the back in the third minute for the game’s first shot. North Korea was nearly awarded a penalty kick just two minutes later as Scott made a tackle on Choe Il Son driving into the box, but Schoepfer challenged the decision via video review and the penalty call was rescinded.

The U.S. grew into the game over the course of the first half, finding a few chances late in the opening frame. After a good ball in on a free kick in the 39th minute, forward Mary Long fired a ball over the crossbar from just beyond the penalty spot. Perhaps the Americans’ most dangerous look came in the 44th minute as the San Diego Wave’s Kimmi Ascanio drove into the box and dished to Johnson, who took a touch before skying her shot high.

Korea DPR finally broke through midway through the second half. So Ryu Gyong put a booming ball into the box in the 69th minute and while the U.S. cleared the initial cross, Ro Un Hyang was waiting for it at the top of the penalty arc and ripped a rocket of a shot into the right side netting. The goal snapped the USA’s 346-minute streak of no goals allowed at the tournament, including three straight shutouts in its last three outings.

The U.S. was determined to find an equalizer in the final twenty minutes of play. Schoepfer made a number of subs to hunt for a game-tying goal, bringing on Y-Lan Nguyen and Jaiden Rodriguez in the 77th.

The game opened up as the second half wore on with both sides finding more opportunities.

Choe Rim Jonh fired one over the bar in the 77th minute and the U.S. thought it might have an opportunity to draw things even on a penalty kick in the 83rd. Ri Ye Gyong battled Kennedy Fuller for the ball as they drove to the end line and Schoepfer again challenged for a penalty call on the physical North Korea defense, but the referee confirmed the no call after video review.

Despite a few more threatening looks for Korea DPR down the stretch, the American defense held strong to keep its hopes alive late but wasn’t able to find the equalizing goal down the stretch.

GOAL SCORING RUNDOWN

PRK -- Ro Un Hyang, 69th minute: Driving down the right side, Choe Rim Jonh played to So Ryu Gong deep on the wing. She sent a looping cross into the box and Daya King was there to clear away the initial danger, but the ball fell to Ro Un Hyang lurking at the top of the arc. The Korea DPR midfielder ripped a left-footed half-volley into the right side of the net and the goal proved to be the difference-maker. PRK 1, USA 0

ADDITIONAL NOTES

• The USA’s scoreless streak of 346 minutes marked a new record at this tournament, breaking the previous high of 184 minutes in 2012.
• The USA’s four professional players were once again in the starting lineup in Kimmi Ascanio, Melanie Barcenas, Kennedy Fuller (who captained the U.S.) and Ainsley McCammon.
• This was just the second loss for this group of U.S. U-17s during this World Cup cycle. They now have a record of 11W-2L-1D.

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

Match: United States Under-17 Women’s Youth National Team vs. Korea DPR
Date: Oct. 30, 2024
Competition: 2024 FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup – Semifinal
Venue: CFC Stadium; Santiago de Los Caballeros, Dominican Republic
Attendance: 2,408
Kickoff: 7 p.m. local (7 p.m. ET)
Weather: 74 degrees, cloudy

Lineups:
USA: 21-Evan O’Steen; 15-Katie Scott (18-Daya King, 59), 3-Trinity Armstrong, 5-Kiara Gilmore, 2-Jocelyn Travers; 6-Ainsley McCammon, 10-Kennedy Fuller (Capt.), 7-Kimmi Ascanio (8-Y-Lan Nguyen, 76), 17-Micayla Johnson (11-Maddie Padelski, 59), 20-Mary Long, 13-Melanie Barcenas (19-Jaiden Rodriguez, 76)
Substitutes not used: 1-Moly Vapensky, 4-Jordyn Hardeman, 9-Anna Babcock, 11-Maddie Padelski, 12-Wicki Dunlap, 14-Leena Powell, 16-Scottie Antonucci
Head coach: Katie Schoepfer

PRK: 1-Park Ju Gyong (Capt.); 3-Jong Pok Yong, 5-Ri Ye Gyong, 14-Park Il Sim, 16-Ri Pom; 7-Jon Il Chong (4-Son Jo Ye 85), 19-Ro Un Hyang, 8-So Ryu Gyong, 11-Choe Rim Jong; 15-Choe Il Son, 12-Kang Ryu Mi (10-Ho Kyong, 55)
Substitutes not used: 2-Choe Chong Gum, 6-Pak Ok I, 9-Ri Su Jong, 13-Choe Yon A, 18-Choe Kyong Mi, 20-An Kyong Yong, 21-Hong Ryu Mi
Head coach: Song Sung Gwon

Stats Summary: USA / PRK
Shots: 5 / 12
Shots on Goal: 0 / 2
Saves: 1 / 0
Corner Kicks: 1 / 3
Fouls: 8 / 10
Offside: 1 / 1

Misconduct Summary:
USA – Jocelyn Travers (Caution) 47th minute

Officials:
Referee: Alina Pesu (ROU)
AR1: Daniela Constantinescu (ROU)
AR2: Anita Vad (SRB)
Fourth Official: Karolin Kaivoja (EST)