A record margin in Salé
The United States started its Under-17 Women's World Cup group campaign on Monday with a 17-0 defeat of Samoa in Salé, Morocco, the largest winning margin ever recorded at an 11-a-side World Cup at any age level. The previous mark was Morocco's 16-0 victory over New Caledonia at the 2025 Under-17 men's tournament. Ten different American players found the net, with forward Maddie DiMaria leading the scoring on six goals.[S1][S2][S3][S5][S6][S8]
By half-time the Americans had already built a 9-0 advantage and they ended the match with 58 shots. Carolina Reyna, whose older brother Gio plays for the senior US men's team, and 15-year-old Loradana Paletta each scored twice, while Samoa goalkeeper Susahna Peacock made 13 saves.[S1]
DiMaria's six-goal night
DiMaria, a 17-year-old high-school student from St Louis who has committed to play in college at North Carolina, opened her account in the 63rd minute. Her six goals were the most ever scored by a US player in a single match and the most by anyone in a Women's World Cup game at any level. She is the first player to score six in one match at a FIFA finals since Erling Haaland struck nine at the Under-20 men's World Cup in 2019.[S1][S6]
The forward said the comparison to Haaland meant a great deal to her and described him as an inspiration, adding that following in his footsteps was an honor and crediting her teammates for finding her in the right positions. US coach Ciara Crinion said she had not realized a record was being broken but was very proud of the group and pleased that the achievement would be attached to their names.[S1]
Expansion, mismatches and what comes next
Samoa were appearing at only their second Under-17 Women's World Cup, having debuted last year. FIFA increased the field from 16 to 24 teams starting in 2025 and is holding both the men's and women's Under-17 World Cups every year through 2029 to emphasize youth development. Samoa are among seven sides to make their debut in the women's tournament over the past two years, and larger fields drawing countries at differing levels of development can produce lopsided results.[S1]
The scoreline recalled the senior US team's 13-0 win over Thailand at the 2019 Women's World Cup in France, when Alex Morgan scored five and critics accused the Americans of running up the score; that tournament was the first staged with 24 teams. Midfielder Julie Ertz said after that game that the US shows opponents respect by never taking them lightly, preparing the same way, using scouting reports and training with intensity. The Americans face Kenya on Thursday; Kenya lost their opener 3-0 to China. The US have never won the tournament, finishing runners-up in the inaugural 2008 edition and reaching only one semi-final since, in 2024. North Korea are the reigning champions.[S1]
