Team USA’s U-20 World Cup run has come to an end after Wednesday’s 1-0 semifinal loss to tournament favorites North Korea (DPRK).
The result marks the U-20 USWNT’s best showing since their 2016’s fourth-place finish, when they similarly fell to DPRK in the semis before the North Korean side advanced to win the Cup.
DPRK outshot the US 18-7 last night, but 17-year-old Choe Il-Son was the lone player to find the back of the net, securing the eventual game-winner in the 22nd minute. With five goals on the tournament so far, Choe is now in a three-way tie atop the competition’s Golden Boot race.
Japan tops the Netherlands in second semifinal
While the US gave DPRK arguably their toughest match of the World Cup, Japan overwhelmed the Dutch with their attacking prowess last night, outshooting the Netherlands’ 24-1 to notch the 2-0 win.
Notably, both goals by “the Young Nadeshiko” were scored by North Carolina Courage midfielder Manaka Matsukubo, the only NWSL player on Japan’s roster.
