The United States have faced Morocco in two separate World Cups this year and have lost both of them.
Gonzalo Segares’ Under-17 squad suffered elimination from the FIFA U-17 World Cup on Friday after losing 4-3 on penalty kicks to Morocco in Round of 32 action. Despite taking a 1-0 lead, the Americans conceded a 90th minute equalizer before falling in spot kicks.
It was the United States who struck first in the 21st minute as Jude Terry finished off Cavan Sullivan’s cut-back pass. Mathis Albert played Sullivan into the box before a cut back pass from the 16-year-old Sullivan allowed Terry to drill a low drive that deflected into the back of the net.
It was Terry’s first goal contribution of the tournament.
Both teams had chances to add to the scoreline as the match went on, with Morocco eventually tying things up in the dying moments.
Morocco’s Abdellah Ouazane cut in from the right wing past two American defenders before drilling a low, left-footed shot past Aidan Stokes. The equalizing goal would force spot kicks between the two teams.
Moroccan goalkeeper Chouaib Bellaarouch made two key penalty saves, denying Cooper Sanchez and Maxi Carrizo to help propel his side into the Round of 16. Despite Stokes making one key penalty kick save, Morocco proceeded to make their additional four to win 4-3.
The tournament marked the 11th time in U-17 World Cup history that the Americans participated in the knockout round. Sullivan led the team with four goal contributions while Stokes registered two clean sheets in net.
Quick turn around 2026 concacaf WC qualifying tournament in February.
Congrats to Morocco on winning the U17 WC!
FYI, the US always loses to the winner.
They have not won the whole thing yet lol
Should have kept Cavan on PK”s. Coaching decisions at the youth level have not been good.
Well the U17’s will be preparing again for next year WC. By the way Cavan is eligible for the next u17 team too.
U17 WC is every year now.
I don’t think Cavan participates next year.
I think it will depend on how much he becomes a part of the Union first team next season. Im hoping he becomes much more involved next season. But it wouldn’t surprise me if he is on that u17 team too.
I believe Mathis is also eligible for next year. Neither gain anything from playing against 17 yr olds going forward. Even at their current levels, Next Pro and Junior A Bundesliga, they are playing against older players. In each match especially Cavan and often Mathis were the two best players on the field, their team just wasn’t very connected. I think likely they join the U20s for qualification next summer. Unfortunately that’s probably playing under Segares again (heavy sigh).
Mathis had earned the penalty, he takes penalties for Dortmund, he scored his penalty in the shootout. It’s easy to criticize because it didn’t work and then about four guys made mistakes and gave up the late goal.
Cavan had already buried a PK in the tournament prior to the Morrocco game. For me its a fair criticism.
I hate it when the team I’m, backing loses on a penalty kick, and not just the shootout, but on a penalty kick that would have sealed the game. This seems to happen too often. Really, do US teams not practice penalty kicks enough?
Mathis buddy, you gotta burry that game winner! 😩😱😭