USYNT defeats Netherlands in the bronze medal match of the Under-20 FIFA Women's World Cup

WHAT HAPPENED

The U.S. Under-20 women's youth national team clawed back in the 119th minute to defeat the Netherlands 2-1 in the bronze medal match of the Under-20 FIFA World Cup.

The late goal was forced by forward Maddie Dahlien, who was chased down a deflected strike from Ally Sentnor. Sentnor's shot hit a Dutch defender and ended up at Dahlien's feet on the left side.

Dahlien took the game into her own hands, dribbled, and served in a low cross towards the penalty spot. The cross struck another Dutch defender, this time rolling into the far-side of the net, to give the U.S. side an emotional 2-1 win.

The USYNT scored first, thanks to a team effort to create chances in the penalty area. In just the 10th minute, Gisele Thompson swiftly dribbled to maintain possession before slipping the ball to Sentnor, who then buried the ball into the back of the net for an early 1-0 lead over the Netherlands.

The Netherlands would equalize in the 26th minute off of a clean no-look pass that broke the USYNT defense, and found Robine Lacroix in the penalty area. Lacroix buried it to tie the game at 1-1.

Friendlies

USA

USA

2024-10-24T23:30:00.000Z23:30

Iceland

ISL

THE BIGGER PICTURE

This third-place finish is the USYNT's best finish at the FIFA Under-20 Women's World Cup since they won in 2012.

This team had eight NWSL rookies on the roster, a U.S. soccer record. The captain of the team was NWSL first-overall draft pick Sentnor, who has now scored 12 goals for the U.S. She scored three goals in the tournament.

Overall the Americans outshot the Netherlands 26-11.

WHAT'S NEXT?

Many members of the USYNT will now return to their NWSL clubs to complete the remainder of the 2024 season.

The final of the U20 WWC is on Sunday between Japan and North Korea.