Best performances from the USWNT U17 opening World Cup win

The United States Women's U17 National Team began their World Cup campaign in superb fashion, defeating hosts India 8-0. At any level, the opening day of a World Cup match can be a bit tricky, especially when one faces a host country. The USWNT U17s showed very little signs of making mental errors going directly at the Indian defense. Although there is still much to be worked on, it is a solid start and gives them some momentum heading into matches against tougher opponents in Brazil (October 14) and Morocco (October 17)   Here are a few players that impressed from Matchday one.   Forward [player_tooltip player_id='24190' first='Melina' last='Rebimbas'] (PDA/2023/University of North Carolina)-Rebimbas got the USWNT attack started early, polishing off a cross in from [player_tooltip player_id='21915' first='Riley' last='Jackson'] with a volley in the ninth minute. She continued to bombard the Indian defense with dangerous diagonal runs and she was rewarded for her efforts with a brace, hitting a two-touch rocket in the 31st minute. What will be interesting to see is how her partnership with [player_tooltip player_id='18947' first='Onyeka' last='Gamero'] continues to develop as the tournament goes on. The two worked well up top, switching off on attacking advances to throw off the Indian defense.   Forward [player_tooltip player_id='18947' first='Onyeka' last='Gamero'] (Beach FC/2023/Stanford University)- Gamero consistently maintained pressure on the Indian backline, looking for a defensive miscue or mistake to seize upon. This strategy paid off with the Stanford commit forcing a turnover in dangerous territory an coolly slotting her chance in the back of the net. The Stanford University commit also showed off her dribbling prowess breaking down multiple defenders in the attacking third.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/FOXSoccer/status/1579863034427998208 </div></figure>   Midfielder [player_tooltip player_id='48334' first='Mia' last='Bhuta'] (Free Agent/2023/Stanford University)- Mia came off of the bench for the full second half and gave an immediate boost in energy. Her pinpoint crosses into the box also certainly helped, as evidenced by [player_tooltip player_id='33283' first='Ella' last='Emri']'s header in the 51st minute. Bhuta got a goal of her own in the 62nd minute hitting a high curling ball over the Indian defense into the back of the net. Bhuta has clearly shown that she can start but USWNT U17 Head Coach Natalia Astrain likes the energy that she brings off of the bench. Can they continue to afford having her sit on the bench against more difficult opponents? That is a big question that will need to be answered.   Defender [player_tooltip player_id='33286' first='Gisele' last='Thompson'] (Total Football Academy/ 2024/Stanford University)- Thompson anchored the USWNT backline for the first half and made several strong defensive stops to keep the host side at bay. She also showed a flair for going on the attack, making a late run into the box in the 31st minute, slotting home the U.S.' fourth goal of the match. Her attacking runs will need to continue to be perfectly timed against Brazil.   Midfielder [player_tooltip player_id='21915' first='Riley' last='Jackson'] (Concordia Fire/2024/Duke University)- The USWNT's captain led her side early on, delivering the cross into the box for Rebimbas to put the side up 1-0. Her pinpoint passes and cool head in the midfield helped the US settle into the match and helped stave any possible early chances. While she can also contribute to the attack, the US' success in this tournament will largely depend on whether she can continue to manage the match from the middle. There will definitely be chances for her to contribute up top, but this side will need her leadership as they get into the business end of the tournament and search for their first World Cup title.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/FOXSoccer/status/1579861116385050624 </div></figure>   Defender [player_tooltip player_id='33283' first='Ella' last='Emri'] (San Diego Surf/2024/Stanford University)-Much like with Thompson, most of Emri's defensive work came early in the first half, where she made key clears to hold the Indian attack. She also showed the ability to build possession from the back, working with Jackson to kickstart the attack. She also showed Astrain that she can be dangerous on set pieces, heading home the US' sixth goal of the match in the 51st minute.

The United States Women's U17 National Team began their World Cup campaign in superb fashion, defeating hosts India 8-0. At any level, the opening day of a World Cup match can be a bit tricky, especially when one faces a host country. The USWNT U17s showed very little signs of making mental errors going directly at the Indian defense. Although there is still much to be worked on, it is a solid start and gives them some momentum heading into matches against tougher opponents in Brazil (October 14) and Morocco (October 17)