USYNT get U-17 World Cup campaign off to a winning start

Fifteen-year-old forward Nimfasha Berchimas bagged two goals with Cruz Medina adding a third in a 3-1 win over Korea Republic in the Group E opening game at the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup.

Berchimas, the USA’s youngest player, opened the scoring in the seventh minute, becoming the youngest U.S. player since Freddy Adu in 2003 to score at this tournament. Korea pulled a goal back in the 35th minute before Medina finished off the rebound of another Berchimas shot to put the U.S. ahead for good in the 49th minute. Berchimas bagged his second of the day to secure three points for the U.S. to start the tournament on a positive note.

The victory puts the USA in a solid position in the group after the highly fancied France beat Burkina Faso in the other Group E clash as the U.S. now face the African side next Wednesday. The top two teams in each of the six groups, as well as the four best third-place teams, advance to the knockout stage of the competition.