MIAMI, Florida – Two spots in the 2024 FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup will be on the line on Friday in the semifinals of the 2024 Concacaf Women’s Under-17 Championship at the headquarters of the Mexican Football Federation in Toluca, Mexico.
The Semifinals are set! 🤩
— Concacaf W (@ConcacafW) February 7, 2024
United States, Haiti, Mexico and Canada will compete for a place in the Final and for two spots in the U-17 @FIFAWorldCup!
🇺🇸 vs 🇭🇹
🇲🇽 vs 🇨🇦 pic.twitter.com/ezM73hMNIx
United States vs. Haiti
Friday’s pivotal slate of matches begins with the United States taking on Haiti in what will be the third Concacaf Women’s Under-17 Championship match between the two nations.
The U.S. came away with victories in the first two, winning 9-0 in a 2010 group stage match, followed by a thrilling 3-2 semifinal win in 2018.
The U.S. reached this phase by winning all three of their matches in Group B to finish first, while Haiti came in second in Group A with two wins and one defeat.
This match will feature the two top goal scorers in the tournament, with Haiti’s Lourdjina Etienne and Kennedy Fuller of the U.S. each boasting six goals. Etienne has been tormenting opposing defenses with 16 scoring chances created, while Fuller has had a hand in eight of her team’s 21 goals.
Alexandra Pfeiffer has also delivered big performances for the U.S. and has four goals and two assists, while Mya Townes has chipped in with three goals.
Etienne has gotten her fair share of support from teammates, namely Desert Dominique, who has an assist, while GK Kimberlie Prince has been excellent in making 14 saves, ranking her third among all goalkeepers in the tournament.
A Haiti win would mark the Caribbean nation’s first ever qualification to a U17 Women’s World Cup, while the U.S. are seeking a sixth U17 Women’s World Cup berth.
Mexico vs. Canada
Two familiar foes in CWU17 competition meet in the second game on Friday, with host nation Mexico squaring off with Canada.
There have been seven previous encounters between the two sides in the CWU17, with four victories for Canada, two for Mexico and one draw. Among the recent matches played was the 2018 semifinal in a 2-1 win for Mexico, and the 2013 Final when Mexico defeated Canada 4-2 in a penalty shootout following a 0-0 draw.
Mexico claimed the top spot in Group A with a perfect three wins in three matches and no goals conceded by GK Camila Vazquez, while Canada finished second in Group B with two wins and one loss.
Canada can look to GK Noelle Henning for inspiration in the back, as she leads the tournament in saves with 16. In attack, all eyes will be on the dynamic duo of Annabelle Chukwu and Kaylee Hunter, who have four goals and three assists, respectively.
El Tricolor have their fair share of attacking weapons as well. Abril Fragoso had three goals and an assist in the group stage, while Dana Sandoval scored a goal in each of Mexico’s three group stage matches.
A victory would mark the seventh U17 Women’s World Cup for Mexico. Canada are on the hunt for their eighth U17 Women’s World Cup appearance.
