U17 Women’s World Cup: USA Based Players Making an Impact

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While the US U17's chase glory in Morocco with a massive win against Spain today in the Round of 16 they aren't the only team at this World Cup that has American based players. Across the tournament, players developed in US Club environments are representing their heritage nations. Most strikingly through the ECNL Heritage Project, a program designed to connect elite US-based athletes with the federations they're eligible to play for. Nowhere is that more evident than with Puerto Rico, whose historic first-ever World Cup squad was built almost entirely by American Youth Soccer. Here's a look at the US-developed players who have made a genuine impact in Morocco thus far. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["375351"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ae3ae2b54507"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The breakout story of Puerto Rico's historic debut. Olmo is still only 15 years old and essentially playing a year up at this tournament. Olmo scored both of Puerto Rico's goals in the entire tournament, including a that nation's first ever World Cup goal, an unstoppable 25-yard strike off the post against Poland. Introduced as a halftime sub she immediately changed the game. For a program making their first ever appearance on the world stage, Olmo gave Puerto Rico a moment of genuine history. Remember the name, this is a player with a very high ceiling. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["146975"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ae3ae2b54568"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The most impactful US-developed player in the entire tournament. Reyes has been El Tri's catalyst, scoring the game-winner and earning player of the match honors against Chile, then netting again in Mexico's 1-0 win over Australia that sent them into the Round of 16. She became the first Mexican player to play in 3 editions of this tournament to both score and assist in the same match. A dynamic goal-dangerous midfielder and with Mexico still alive, her tournament is not over yet. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["364160"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ae3ae2b545b3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mexico's starting goalkeeper and a steady presence behind their knockout-round run. Lopez announced herself early, making a crucial double save against Spain in the group opener, and has held down the number one spot throughout the tournament. Commanding in the box and composed under pressure, she's a key reason Mexico advanced from a tough group. A genuine goalkeeper prospect flying the Mexican flag but sharpened on American soil. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["318235"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ae3d21b99ec7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another 15-year old making noise in this tournament. Rivera was 4 for 4 on her successful dribbles against Nigeria and was one of 4 Puerto Rico players to win 10 duels in that same match. She is direct, brave on the ball and unafraid to take defenders on, Rivera gave Puerto Rico real attacking spark. The fearlessness at she showed at this level, at her age, is exactly what you want to see as a scout. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["381312"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ae3d21b99f33"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Playing defense at this tournament she was a rock at the back for Puerto Rico and won 10 duels against Nigeria. She played with an underlining competitive grit to every match and started every game throughout the group stage. The toughness and defensive commitment she displayed are foundational traits that will serve her well as she rises. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["277929"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ae3d21b99f98"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Alongside Russell, Lanier anchored Puerto Rico's defense and joined the 10-duels won club against Nigeria. A physical, competitive defender developed in the US Club system by the Charlotte Independence she concisely put herself in the middle of the battle for a team that refused to be overwhelmed by the moment. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["160411"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ae3d21b99ffa"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Adame started and featured prominently throughout the group stage, including matching up against the back-to-back champions North Korea. Steady and positionally sound, she was part of the defensive foundation for a side experiencing the World Cup for the very first time. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["111860"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ae3d21b9a057"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Atlanta native and Concorde Fire product was Canada's star in Morocco, scoring 3 of Canada's 5 total goals scored across the group stage. She struck just 3 minutes and 44 seconds into Canada's opener against Brazil. Tingley then delivered a decisive brace against Norway, including a coolly converted penalty which earned Canada's only win at this World Cup. Direct, clinical, and relentless in front of goal. She became the first Canadian to score in each of her side's opening two matches of a World Cup in their history. She was everything Canada hoped for and more. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["316236"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ae3d21b9a0a9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A rotation piece who featured in all 3 of Canada's group stage games. The Legends product brought energy and quality to the Canadian midfield. Appearing as both a starter and off the bench, Schwartzenberg stayed involved in the attack and showed the kind of versatility coaches value in a tournament setting. For a Canada side making its mark in Morocco, her consistent involvement across every match underlines the depth the American club system continues to produce. One to keep an eye on in the future indeed. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->