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Melanie Barcenas USYNT 2024Getty Images

VIDEO: Just like teammate Alex Morgan! San Diego Wave starlet Melanie Barcenas nets rocket for the USYNT in the Concacaf U17 Championship vs Canada

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  • USYNT defeat Canada 5-0
  • Barcenas scores outrageous effort
  • SD Wave star had big 2024 ahead
  • WHAT HAPPENED?

    The 16-year-old prodigy rocketed an effort into the left corner of the net seven minutes into the match, scoring the first of five goals for the USYNT in a shutout victory over Canada, Tuesday. The Wave's up-and-coming superstar played a brilliant one-two on top of the box before firing home. With the result, the US recorded their third victory of the group stage and finished as the leaders of Group B.

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  • THE BIGGER PICTURE

    Barcenas is one of the hottest up-and-coming prospects in all of American soccer, with the teenager breaking onto the scene with the Wave in 2023. Her idol Alex Morgan has helped her adapt to the professional game, and now 2024 could promise a lot.

    As for the the USYNT, it's a brilliant showing against a top opponent. Barcenas' opening goal helped pave way for a dominant second half, where they overcame a tough Canadian defense and slid four goals by them.

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  • WHAT NEXT FOR BARCENAS, THE USYNT AND THE WAVE?

    The 2024 NWSL season does not kick off until March this spring, with the Wave beginning their campaign in the 2024 NWSL Challenge Cup against Gotham FC. For the USYNT, with their victory Tuesday, they now advance to the semifinals where they'll take on Haiti on February 9.