The U.S. U-17 Women's National Team was working its way to earn a spot in the final of the World Cup, but North Korea crushed those championship aspirations. The 1-0 loss was hard-fought in a battle of defensive tenacity from both sides, deadlocked for 69 minutes until a solitary and final decisive shot by Ro Un Hyang sealed North Korea's path into the final.
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For the U.S., though, this match was more than just a semifinal-it was historic. It was the same stage on which these two teams met in 2008, and North Korea won that final. Sixteen years later, this loss sends the U.S. squad to the third-place match, fighting for its best finish since that 2008 runner-up spot.
Head coach Katie Schoepfer did respect the Koreans' tight defense, hence opting for some changes in the semifinal game. She went for Micayla Johnson and Katie Scott to try to inject energy into the attack. This change was done so that the attacking line would be fresh and even create openings in the Koreans' organized defense.
But it didn't take long for the U.S. to realize how painful fighting against such an organized, reacting defense could get. Till this game, both teams had gone three straight games not conceding a goal framing the stage for a test of patience as much as hunt for goals.
The first 45 minutes were marked by tension and few shots on goal. North Korea came out pressing hard just three minutes in, when a lost ball by the USWNT gave their opponents the first shot of the game. But the U.S. responded with defensive strength-even under the threat of a potential penalty call early on, which was quickly overturned after review.
This was the atmosphere of the first half-a feeling of "extreme caution" in physical play. The U.S. tried to equalize through set-piece opportunities and pressure on the flanks. However, shots like Mary Long's at 39 minutes still did not find precision. The best U.S. chance came from Kimmi Ascanio, who nearly opened the scoring with a well-executed passing play with Johnson, but her shot went just over the bar. As the attempts went on, goals did not appear.
With time running out and the general tempo of this game at a high pitch, there was every indication that one goal might be enough to give a team the winning edge. That moment came in the 69th minute when North Korea took advantage of one of those few openings. Ryu Gyong put a ball into the penalty area of the U.S., which, after an initial attempt at a clearance, came to rest precisely at Ro Un Hyang's feet. The midfielder of North Korea fired off a pinpoint powerful shot that rocketed into the net, ending the USWNT's defensive streak and turning the tide of the match-with the team now left with no time to respond and their record-breaking 346-minute shutout streak shattered.
The deficit did not deter the American team. Schoepfer immediately brought on new forwards including Y-Lan Nguyen and Jaiden Rodriguez to try and rejuvenate the attack. As the clock ran down, the pressure ratcheted up, but North Korea's solid defense shut down each push forward.
Second-half action saw high voltage tension rise as the U.S., in search of a penalty call, was brought down-one Kennedy Fuller by Ri Ye Gyong. The U.S. team called on the referee, but after a review via video, their decision of not giving a penalty remained, crushing their final clear chance to equalize.
This semifinal between the U.S. and North Korea was a test of both teams' abilities in defense and tactics. USWNT gave their impressive defensive streak that will be remembered as a tournament record, although they did not possess the final offensive spark that perhaps would have altered the outcome of the game.
Now, the focus of the young American team shifts to the third-place match that will take place on November 3. It is also a great chance to review their performance and reflect on how it's been thus far. Head Coach Katie Schoepfer and her charges will study the high and low points of this match as they develop their game further and keep the drive alive for a podium finish.
The loss is unfortunate, but for the U.S. U-17s, it's also a teaching one. The quest for first place won't be realized this time, but the exposure of the team to playing styles and pressure of international competition has given them a good foundation for the future.
Meanwhile, North Korea went through to the final with a solid, balanced game capable of piercing the toughest defenses, as happened in this semifinal. The U.S. will have to resolve lapses in their attack and work on a more consistent balance if they want to return stronger in future tournaments.
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