U.S. U17 Victorious Versus Puerto Rico

U.S. U17 Victorious Versus Puerto Rico
by Victor Olorunfemi
February 4, 2024
Players featured in this article:
MF | San Diego Wave
MF | San Diego Wave
GK | Rebels Soccer Club
D | Legends FC
Riley Cross |  2025
MF | PDA
F | FC Dallas
D | Solar SC
F | Fairfax Virginia Union
MF | Solar SC
MF | VDA
F | KC Current
MF | Tudela FC
Mya Townes |  2025
F | FC Virginia
D | Bay Area Surf
GK | SC del Sol

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.

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.

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.

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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