The United States made a remarkable start to the expanded CONCACAF qualifying for the FIFA Under-17 World Cup by securing a historic victory over the U.S. Virgin Islands with a resounding 22-0 win. Chase Adams emerged as the star of the match, scoring an incredible 10 goals to lead the U.S. team to victory.
Captain Maximo Carrizo also made a significant impact, contributing four goals to the team's impressive tally. Additionally, Chance Cowell and Jude Terry each scored two goals, while Pedro Guimaraes, Ramiz Hamouda, Jamir Johnson, and Kellan LeBlanc added one goal apiece.
Adams' goal-scoring spree was a sight to behold, finding the back of the net in the eighth, ninth, 13th, 19th, 31st, 33rd, 38th, 55th, 75th, and 77th minutes of the match.
Cowell, hailing from Naperville, Illinois, showcased his talent by joining the Columbus Crew Academy and eventually signing a professional contract after a successful stint in the MLS Next Pro league. He notched nine goals in 19 matches, demonstrating his prowess on the field.
The U.S. team's previous record victory was a 20-0 triumph over Grenada at the 2022 CONCACAF Women’s U-17 Championship, highlighting the exceptional performance against the U.S. Virgin Islands. The men's team had previously achieved a 13-0 win over the same opponent at the 2018 CONCACAF Under-20 Championship.
In other Group A action, Cuba secured a 3-1 victory over St. Kitts and Nevis, setting the stage for an exciting qualifying campaign. The top eight group winners will advance to the expanded 48-nation Under-17 World Cup in Qatar, with no knockout stage in CONCACAF qualifying.
Despite their best efforts, the U.S. Virgin Islands faced a tough challenge, being outscored 33-0 in the 2022 CONCACAF Under-17 qualifying matches. The upcoming FIFA tournament will feature 48 nations and is scheduled to take place from November 5 to 27 in Qatar.
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