The USYNT cruised to the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup knockout round in historic fashion on Saturday, routing Paraguay 7-0 in Bogotá, Colombia, thanks to stellar showings from young NCAA and NWSL standouts.
Armed with the most pros to ever feature on a US U-20 World Cup roster with eight NWSL rookies, the USYNT pulled off the largest U-20 WWC win in team history.
The US hasn’t won a U-20 WWC in 12 years, with 2024 marking the first time they’ve made it out of the tournament’s group stage since 2016.
Young NWSL and NCAA players level up the U-20 game
Though long viewed as inferior to Europe and its club-based academy system, US players opting to turn pro at younger ages are making the USYNT increasingly competitive — a trend that’s also pushing college programs to new heights.
In Saturday’s win, Angel City defender Gisele Thompson and Utah Royals rookie Ally Sentnor both found the back of the net, while the youngest goal-scorer in Seattle Reign history, winger Emeri Adames, tied Heather O’Reilly’s 2002 national record for most assists in a single U-20 World Cup game with three in the first…
