U-15 USWYNT edges Canada in PKs, advancing to Concacaf Championship Final

ALAJUELA, Costa Rica – The U.S. Under-15 Women’s Youth National Team advanced to the title game of the 2024 Concacaf Girls’ U-15 Championship with a 4-2 penalty kick shootout win over Canada after teams drew 1-1 through the 70 minutes of regulation time.

Forward Mak Whitham, the youngest-ever signing in the National Women’s Soccer League by NJ/NY Gotham FC, who joined the U.S. U-15s after the first two games of this tournament, scored in first half stoppage time but Canada equalized early in the second half.

Although the USA outshot Canada 9-3, the young Americans could not create an equalizer despite several quality chances late and the match went straight to penalty kicks.

Canada missed its first two kicks while Maddie DiMaria, KK Ream, Meila Brewer and Deus Stanislaus all scored with Stanislaus sending the USA to the final with her blast into the top part of the net that skimmed off the hands of the Canadian goalkeeper.

In the championship, the USA will meet Mexico, who secured a 3-2 victory over hosts Costa Rica in the other semifinal.

The USA’s goal came after defender Bristol Kersh looped the ball into the penalty box and a poor Canada clearance fell to Whitham at the top of the penalty box. She brought the ball down well and then spun her left-footed shot into the lower left corner. The goal was Whitham’s second of the tournament.

Canada’s equalizer came off a corner kick from the right just three minutes into the second half that was deflected but not out of danger by U.S. goalkeeper Ella McNeal. The ball fell to the ground at the far post and Christ-Mayron Brou was first to the free ball to smash it into the net from close range.

The USA will now be competing for its fourth consecutive Concacaf Girls’ U-15 title. This year marks the fifth Concacaf tournament for this age group and the U.S. has won all three Concacaf Girls’ U-15 Championships in which it has participated (2016, 2018 and 2022).

— U.S. Under-15 Women’s Youth National Team Match Report –

Match: United States U-15 Women’s National Team vs. Canada U-15 Women’s National Team
Date: August 9, 2024
Competition: Concacaf Girls’ U-15 Championship
Venue: Proyecto Gol Ruta Nacional Secundaria – Field 3; Alajuela, Costa Rica
Kickoff: 9 a.m. local (11 a.m. ET)
Attendance: 200
Weather: 78, hot/sunny

Penalty Kicks Summary:
CAN: Mcleod (Missed), Oppong (Missed), Lanzillotta (Scored), Kindel (Scored)
USA: DiMaria (Scored), Ream (Scored), Brewer (Scored), Stanislaus (Scored)

Lineups:
USA: 1-Anne Fowler (12-Ella McNeal, 36); 13-Bristol Kersh (2-Alex Han, 48), 18-Meila Brewer, 5-Elena Vera (15-Chloe Miller, 36); 3-Taylor Morrell, 8-Mia Corona (6-Kendall Conway, 36), 16-Caroline Swann (Capt.) (4-Loradana Paletta, 36), 10-Deus Stanislaus; 14-Carolina Reyna (7-Maddie DiMaria, 48), 9-Mak Whitham, 17-Amari Manning (11-KK Ream, 36)
Subs not used: None
Head Coach: Ciara Crinion

CAN: 1-Kellyane Dumas; 3-Riele Nembhard (Capt.) (2-Racquel Partovi, 48), 6-Christ-Mayron Brou, 14-Paige Rueffer (5-Myla Ewasiuk, 36), 17-Iris Oppong, 8-Isabella Lanzillotta, 4-Maika-kim Guerrier (16-Lacey Kindel, 48), 13-Gabby Istocki (11-Melyna Alexis, 70), 12-Madden Asante, 10-Alyssa Mcleod, 9-Ailish Hennesy (7-Daneeka Medley, 36)
Subs not used: 18-Samantha Powell, 15-Olivia Coppolla Tapping
Head Coach: Tina Cook

Stats Summary: USA / CAN
Shots: 9 / 3
Shots on Goal: 5 / 3
Saves: 2 / 4
Corner Kicks: 7 / 3
Fouls: 10 / 6
Offside: 3 / 1

Misconduct Summary:
USA – KK Ream (Caution) 70+2nd minute

Officials:
Referee: Jonathan Leiton (CRC)
Assistant Referee 1: Katherine Prescod (PAN)
Assistant Referee 2: Denisha Isaacs (GUY)
Fourth Official: Edson Lieveld (SUR)