Top Stories

USMNT U-17’s fall to Morocco in penalty shootout, suffer World Cup elimination

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.



Comments

  1. 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.

    Reply
  2. 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?

    Reply

Leave a Comment