In a thrilling clash at the 4 Nations Tournament held in Mexico City, the U.S. U-17 Women’s National Team emerged victorious against the host nation, Mexico, with a narrow 1-0 win, clinching the tournament title.
The only goal of the match came from attacking midfielder Nyanya Touray, who scored her third goal of the tournament in the 69th minute after being subbed in just minutes prior.
Touray’s entry onto the field in the 67th minute proved to be pivotal, as she injected renewed energy into the American side.
This tournament acted as a crucial preparatory stage ahead of the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, especially since traditional rivals Canada, Mexico, and the USA would no longer compete against each other in Concacaf U-17 World Cup qualifying.
The U.S. took part in this tournament to solidify their standing ahead of the World Cup and during these matches, they faced varying challenges and strong opposition.
The tournament format allowed the USA to secure a draw against Canada, ultimately winning via penalty kicks, while also managing a win against Mexico, leading to a total of eight points from their matches.
Canada secured the second position in the tournament with six points, Mexico finished with three, and Costa Rica ended with one point.
From the kickoff, Mexico was determined to seize control of the match, driven by their home crowd’s support.
They came out aggressively, putting pressure on the U.S. and dominating the first half with superior shot attempts.
By halftime, Mexico had taken eight shots, with an impressive seven of those on target. However, U.S. goalkeeper Josie Biehl was exceptional, making critical saves to deny Mexico’s advances.
Biehl was tested rigorously, saving a close-range attempt and making a brilliant parry deep into stoppage time, ensuring the scores remained level.
Both teams exhibited resilience, with Mexico’s goalkeeper Valeria Alvarado also stepping up to save hard attempts from U.S. center forward Lauren Malsom during the first half.
As the game progressed into the second half, each team had limited chances, with Mexico managing only one shot on goal, while the U.S. began to assert themselves more.
The U.S. coaching staff recognized the positive impact of substitutions during the match.
Midfielders Chloe Sadler and Charlee Siria, along with Touray and forward Elayna Kocher, brought fresh energy to the field, which translated into increased aggression from the Americans.
The series of substitutions ultimately led to the game-winning goal.
After winning possession in midfield, halftime substitute Addison Feldman cleverly played Touray behind the Mexican defense into a promising position.
Touray managed to evade Mexican captain Berenice Ibarra and rounded Alvarado, executing a precise shot from a sharp angle.
Despite the best efforts of a retreating Mexican defender, the ball was deflected into the net from the goal line, marking a significant moment for the American team.
Touray’s goal not only secured the tournament win but was also her fourth goal in U-17 competition, adding to her growing reputation as a key player for the U.S. squad.
Earlier in the tournament, Touray had also exhibited her poise and skill by scoring the decisive penalty in a tense shootout against Canada.
After the goal, the dynamics of the match shifted dramatically.
The U.S. took control and focused on maintaining their lead while fending off a series of set play threats from Mexico.
One such moment resulted in a blood stoppage for defender Melia Brewer, who received treatment for a facial injury.
As the match neared its conclusion, Mexico found themselves facing additional challenges.
After a caution issued to forward Joselyn Solís in the 77th minute, she was shown a second yellow card for dissent in the 89th minute, leaving Mexico with just ten players.
The U.S. showcased their depth in squad rotation, as all 20 players on the roster received substantial playing time throughout the three matchups in the tournament.
This opportunity was invaluable in preparing the team for the upcoming World Cup.
Head coach Katie Schoepfer emphasized the importance of this tournament as it provided a crucial platform for player development and progression within the national team structure.
Looking forward, the U.S. women will travel to Spain for two more matches in August, marking the last of their preparations before the official roster for the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup is selected.
The USA has qualified for the World Cup for the seventh time, with this being the fifth consecutive appearance.
The prestigious tournament will convene in Morocco from October 17 to November 8, 2025.
The U.S. team’s performance and the depth of talented players in the roster bode well for their campaign in the upcoming World Cup.
Players born on or after January 1, 2008, are age-eligible for this World Cup, which has provided a unique blend of youth and experience within the team.
Notably, 18 of the players on the U.S. team were born in 2008, underlining the youthful core the USA is building.
Among the youngest is midfielder Loradana Paletta, born in 2011, who has already been demonstrating her skills at a high level despite her age.
Paletta, who has begun to make strides as a vital player, highlights the potential that exists within this young squad.
As the tournament in Morocco approaches, the U.S. is placing trust in its players to perform on the world stage, hoping to capitalize on the growth and experiences gained in this tournament.
The USA will open its World Cup campaign against Ecuador on October 18 before facing China PR and Norway in subsequent matches, as they aim for a strong showing in Group C.
All matches will take place at the Football Academy Mohammed VI (Pitch 3) in Sale, near Rabat, and the U.S. will be eager to make an impact in each encounter.
With the mix of talent, dedication, and preparation, the U.S. U-17 Women’s National Team looks poised to make a significant mark at the World Cup.
As they continue preparations, their recent success will serve as both motivation and proof of their readiness to compete at the highest levels of youth soccer.
image source from：ussoccer
