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USWNT loses to North Korea in semifinals of U-20 Women's World Cup
By Nancy Armour and Jim Reineking, USA TODAY,
8 days ago
There were no late-game heroics for the U.S. women this time.
The bronze medal is the best the Americans can do at the Under-20 World Cup after falling 1-0 to North Korea in the semifinals Wednesday afternoon. The USYNT will play the Netherlands in Saturday's third-place game.
The Americans reached the semifinals with a stunning victory over Germany , winning on penalties after scoring two goals within 90 seconds deep into second-half stoppage time. But that game seemed to take some effort out of the USYNT, who were chasing North Korea for much of the first 75 minutes of the game.
North Korea scored the only goal it needed in the 22nd minute, and had a 17-7 shot advantage on the Americans. U.S. goalkeeper Teagan Wy kept the USYNT in the game, making a couple of nice saves early in the second half. Pietra Tordin had the best chance for the Americans, in the 78th, but North Korea's keeper made a diving block on it.
When the final whistle sounded, the Americans stood on the field and watched North Korea celebrate. Though they surely are disappointed — several players were crying — this is the USYNT's best showing at the U-20 World Cup since finishing fourth in 2016. The three-time champions didn't even get out of the group stage in the last two tournaments. — Nancy Armour
North Korea's Un Yong Chae (left) and the USA's Yuna McCormack fight for the ball during the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup semifinal match. NELSON RIOS, AFP via Getty Images
North Korea has made a third substitution in stoppage time. Kim Song-ok, who assisted on North Korea's lone goal, was replaced by Choe Kang-ryon. — Nancy Armour
North Korea has made a sub! North Korea has made a sub!
After playing the first 90 minutes with the same 11 outfield players, North Korea finally made a sub in the first minute of stoppage time. Jon Ryong-jong was replaced by Jong Kum.
No sooner had Jon come off the field than North Korea made a second sub after Hyang Sin started grimacing and limping. She was replaced by Pak Mi-ryong. — Nancy Armour
US makes its final substitutions
U.S. coach Tracey Kevins decided on a double substitution in the 87th minute, taking Jordyn Bugg and Emeri Adames off the pitch in favor of Elise Evans and Taylor Suarez. — Jim Reineking
Down 1-0 and with time running out, U.S. coach Tracey Kevins has added another attacking option to the pitch.
Forward Maddie Dahlien replaced midfielder Yuna McCormack in the 78th minute, adding not only an attacker but speed as well. Dahlien — who plays collegiately at North Carolina — was a standout in track and field during high school in Minnesota. — Jim Reineking
Pietra Tordin had what's been the best chance yet for the USYNT in the 76th. Tordin, who came on as a sub early in the second half, faked out a North Korean defender with a stutter step and took a shot from just outside the 18-yard box. But North Korean keeper Chae Un-gyong dove and got her hands on the ball, pushing it beyond the post. — Nancy Armour
If the U.S. women come back to win this one, keeper Teagan Wy will deserve much of the credit.
North Korea has dominated the game, keeping Wy busy. With the Americans trailing 1-0, Wy kept the game from getting too far out of reach with a terrific kick save in the 50th minute. North Korea captain Chae Un-young went near post from about 10 yards out, but Wy extended her leg and blocked the shot.
Wy made another save a few minutes later, tipping a shot over the crossbar. — Nancy Armour
The U.S. women have some work to do in their semifinal against North Korea in the Under-20 World Cup.
The Americans trail 1-0 at halftime. That might not seem insurmountable considering the USYNT scored two goals in less than two mintues deep into second-half stoppage time in their quarterfinal against Germany .
But North Korea is thoroughly outplaying the Americans. North Korea has a 10-3 advantage in shots, including 2-1 in shots on goal. It's also taken 10 corners to none for the Americans. — Nancy Armour
U.S. forward Jordynn Dudley received a yellow card in the 36th minute for tripping a North Korea player while attempting to secure a pass. It's the first card issued in the match. — Jim Reineking
North Korea's top goal-scorer Choe Il Son ended the scoreless deadlock in the 22nd minute, sliding a shot past U.S. goalkeeper Teagan Wy.
It was Choe Il Son's fifth goal of the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup, tying her with Brazil's Vendito and Japan's Maya Hijikata for the most in the tournament. — Jim Reineking
North Korea has had the better of the chances in the early going, with two shots on goal — including one from Kim Song Gyong that went off the post — and two corner kicks. Fortunately for the U.S., no shots have gotten past goalkeeper Teagan Wy.
The U.S., however, has enjoyed a 63% possession advantage through the first 11 minutes. Possession stats don't matter much if that time with the ball doesn't amount to any quality chances. — Jim Reineking
The U.S. women's U-20 team will face North Korea at 5:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Sept. 18. The semifinal match will be held at the Estadio Olimpico Pascual Guerrero in Cali, Colombia.
The U.S.-North Korea semifinal winner will face the winner of the Japan-Netherlands semifinal (6 p.m. ET on FS2) in the U-20 Women's World Cup final, which will be played Sunday, Sept. 22 at Estadio El Campín in Bogotá, Colombia.
The semifinal losers will play in the third-place match, which will take place Saturday, Sept. 21, also at Estadio El Campín in Bogotá, Colombia.
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