U.S. meets Korea DPR in U-17 Women’s World Cup semifinal

MIAMI – A spot in the final of the 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup will be on the line when the United States meets Korea DPR on Wednesday at CFC Stadium in Santiago De Los Caballeros, Dominican Republic.

The two nations share history together since the tournament’s beginnings, facing each other in the final of the inaugural edition at New Zealand 2008. Korea DPR won 2-1 after extra time to win its first title before collecting a second championship at Jordan 2016.

The U.S. and Korea DPR also met in the group stage of Azerbaijan 2012. That encounter ended in a 1-1 draw to seal Korea DPR first in Group B while the U.S. finished third in the group to exit the tournament.

Another group stage meeting between the sides came at Uruguay 2018. Korea DPR won 3-nil on its way to second place in Group C and advance to the knockout stage while the U.S. finished fourth in its group.

With a 0W-1D-2L record in the series, the U.S. is seeking its first victory against the Asian side. This is the second time the U.S. has reached the U-17 WWC semifinals and first time in nearly 16 years.

Melanie Barcenas and Kennedy Fuller lead the current U.S. squad in scoring with three goals each. Goalkeeper Evan Osteen and her defensive line have not conceded a goal in three consecutive matches.

Korea DPR arrives with a four-match winning streak. Choe Rim-Jong has struck four times, including a hat-trick performance, to co-lead the scoring race at Dominican Republic 2024.