MIAMI – A spot in the final of the 2024 FIFA Women’s U-20 World Cup is on the line when the United States plays Korea DPR on Wednesday at Estadio Olimpico Pascual Guerrero in Cali, Colombia.
The U.S. is coming off one of the most incredible comebacks in the history of the U-20 World Cup. In the final minutes of stoppage time, the U.S. rallied from a two-goal deficit to take Germany to extra time and proceed to win 3-1 in the penalty shootout. The United States is the lone Concacaf representative left in the title race.
Jordyn Dudley scored after the 90th minute for a second consecutive match, striking in the 97’ in the Round of 16 against Mexico and the 90+8' against Germany. Team captain Ally Sentnor struck the match-tying goal against the Germans in the 90+9' to extend the team’s participation in the tournament.
“This team is something special.”
— U.S. Soccer YNT (@USYNT) September 17, 2024
🎙️ #U20WYNT forward Ally Sentnor pic.twitter.com/soRDpluB3f
Goalkeeper Teagan Wy also shined in the quarterfinal with important stops during regulation, accumulating 31 goals prevented in five games played, and also stopped the penalty kick that sealed the U.S. win on PKs.
Korea DPR arrives at the semi-final after winning 1-0 aginst Brazil. The sole goal of the match came from captain Chae Un-Yong, who led their offensive line to break the deadlock
The Asian nation has won all its games in regular time, conceding only four goals in the five games. With four goals under her name, Choe Il-Son is the top scorer for Korea DPR.
Wednesday’s semi-final will be the fifth time they compete in the U-20 category in any round, with two wins for each national team in their previous four games.
This will be the second time the two nations share the pitch in a U-20 Women’s World Cup semifinal, as this match-up at this stage at Papua New Guinea 2016. Korea DPR advanced to the final on that occasion with a 2-1 victory over the U.S.
The United States has three titles in the U-20 WWC: the inaugural edition in Canada 2002, Chile 2008, and Japan 2012. Korea DPR is a two-time champion: in Russia 2006 and Papua New Guinea 2016.
For a place in the tournament's biggest game, these national teams will look to add another chapter to their history as they seek another star above their crest as U-20 Women’s World Cup champions.
