By J.J. Pavlick 10/14/22
The United States entered today’s game against Brazil tied for 1st place in the group but holding the tiebreaker with +8 in goals over Brazil’s +1. This will be the first time these teams have ever met at the U17 FIFA U-17 level. The two countries have met at the U-20 WWC where they have played 3 matches and the U.S. holds a record of 2-0-1 over Brazil. The U.S. saw several players reach new milestones in their previous match versus India a few days ago. Forward Melina Rebimbas tallied her team-leading ninth and tenth career international goals. The match was also the sixth multi-goal match for the United States at the U-17 WWC. Jordyn Bugg made her 1st cap for USWYNT when she entered the previous match at halftime. Defender Gisele Thompson is the only player on the roster playing for the U-17 Boys squad in MLS Next for Total Futbol Academy in Los Angeles, CA For Brazil this is their sixth appearance in the Tournament out of the seven held for U-17. It is the most appearances by a South American nation in the tournament. The Canarinhas reached the quarterfinals at the 2010 and 2012 tournaments. Brazil’s manager Simone Gomes took over the team in August 2019. As a player, she earned 57 caps with the Brazilian National Team, she represented them in the 2003 & 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cups. Brazil has 1 U.S based player, on their roster forward Juju who plays for Florida United SC.
The 1st half saw all the goal-scoring for the match, both teams played strong games, with the Brazilian goalkeeper Leilane stealing the show in front of 3,639 fans at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, India. The Brazilian team came out strong bringing the game to the United States and getting the first 3 shots on goal, but the U.S. rallied back and fired off the next nine shots on goal. The ninth shot beat the Brazilian goalkeeper five-hole in the 33’ of the match. Onyeka Gamero made a beautiful run down the right side of the pitch taking the ball down to the goal line before making a beautiful through-ball pass to a wide-open Nicollette Kiorpes 6 yards from the goal. She one-touched the pass right through the legs of the goalkeeper who charged out to make a challenge on the shot. Unfortunately for the U.S., the lead was short-lived as the Brazilians answered back in the 37’ of play. When Jhonson found the ball forty yards out from goal and feed a pass to Carol Chaves who spun away from her mark and let a shot go from about thirty yards out. The low-driven shot to the near right post just slipped past the diving U.S. goalkeeper Victoria Safradin. The ball skipped along the wet playing surface and under Safradin, who looked shocked the shot beat her. All of Brazil’s chances in the half came from far out, the closest attempt on goal came from about twenty yards out. Both teams played out the remainder of the half going back and forth at midfield with neither team giving much to end the half.
This match has by far been the most challenging for the United States team, they look a bit off today in the high humidity and heat of India. The U.S. had a number of chances from inside the box, but today they simply struggled to find the golden touch unlike the game against host India. The defense for the United States played well keeping the shots on goal all from a great distance and not allowing Brazil in close to the goal. The second half would be action-packed as well seeing both teams have a chance to pull out a victory. The U.S. had the best chance in the second half when Charlotte Kohler fired a shot from the top of the box about sixteen yards to the goal. Her shot to the right side of the middle was saved by the diving foot of Leilane whose toes secured the tie for Brazil. The United States had four shots from inside the penalty area during the 2nd half, but none found the back of the net. They ended the game by outshooting Brazil 19-14, 7 shots on goal to Brazil’s 3. The U.S. also had 7 corner kicks to zero for Brazil.
Both teams left everything they had on the field, both had to deal with cramping issues caused by the heat and humidity of the host nation India. Both teams left the match the way they entered tied for 1st with no one threatening to change their status. The U.S. will travel to Goa, India to play their final match against Morocco on October 17th – at 10:30 a.m. ET. They will enter the match comfortably in control of their destiny.
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