The United States soccer team showed its prowess by achieving a remarkable record-breaking victory in the opening round of the CONCACAF Under-17 World Cup qualifiers. Facing off against the U.S. Virgin Islands, the American squad delivered an unprecedented 22-0 win on a significant Monday night in San Jose, Costa Rica. This match became a historical benchmark for the U.S., marking its most decisive win in any level of international competition.
Young soccer sensation Chase Adams was a standout player, etching his name into the record books by scoring an astonishing 10 goals. Adams wasted no time, making his mark with goals coming as early as the eighth minute of the match. He continued to penetrate the defense with ease, finding the back of the net in rapid succession – 9th, 13th, 19th, 31st, 33rd, 38th, 55th, 75th, and 77th minutes.
Maximo Carrizo, the team captain, also delivered an impressive performance, securing four goals during the game. Teammates Chance Cowell and Jude Terry added to the scoreboard, each contributing two goals. Pedro Guimaraes, Ramiz Hamouda, Jamir Johnson, and Kellan LeBlanc each made their presence known by netting a goal apiece.
Chase Adams, from Naperville, Illinois, is making waves as a promising talent in U.S. youth soccer. Another star on the rise is Chance Cowell, a Columbus Crew Academy player who made his debut with the San Jose Earthquakes' MLS Next Pro team last year. His soccer lineage includes his older brother, Cade Cowell, a notable forward for Chivas and the U.S. senior national team.
This victory broke the previous record set by the U.S. women's team, which held a 20-0 win against Grenada during the 2022 CONCACAF Women's U-17 Championship. The men's previous high was a 13-0 victory also against the U.S. Virgin Islands in a 2018 CONCACAF Under-20 Championship match.
The U.S. Virgin Islands team continues to confront challenges in international competitions, having been outscored 33-0 in the 2022 CONCACAF Under-17 qualifiers.
Within the same CONCACAF group, Cuba triumphed over St. Kitts and Nevis with a 3-1 victory in their opener. The structure of the CONCACAF qualifying tournament sees the group winners progressing to the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Qatar, set from November 5 to 27. This will be the first World Cup featuring 48 teams, expanding from the previous format which included 16 teams until 2005 and then 24 up to 2023.
The U.S.’s emphatic win has set the stage for their journey towards the Under-17 World Cup, showcasing rising stars who are ready to make their mark on the world stage.