The U.S. Under-17 Men’s National Team secures a record 19th FIFA U-17 World Cup qualification with a dominant 2-0 win over Cuba in the Concacaf qualifiers.

The U.S. Under-17 Men’s National Team has clinched its place in the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar, marking a remarkable achievement as the team qualifies for a record 19th time.

The U.S. sealed their World Cup berth with a dominant 2-0 victory against Cuba in their final match at the Concacaf U-17 Qualifiers in Alajuela, Costa Rica.

The win capped off a perfect group-stage campaign, with the U.S. finishing Group F with a flawless 3-0-0 record and an astonishing 31-0 goal differential, showcasing their offensive prowess and defensive dominance.

The match, which took place on February 15, 2025, saw a clinical performance from the U.S. squad, with goals from Chase Adams and Maximo Carrizo in the first half.

Adams opened the scoring in the 23rd minute, finishing off a sharp cross from Carrizo, who had made a dangerous run into the box.

Carrizo then doubled the lead just eight minutes later, with Jamir Johnson providing the assist. The U.S. controlled the game from start to finish, although Cuba mounted a strong defensive effort and looked to counterattack whenever possible.

Cuba, who had previously impressed in their first two matches, provided the U.S. with their toughest challenge in the qualifiers.

The Cuban side, known as the Leones del Caribe, set up a compact defensive shape, looking to frustrate the U.S. attack. However, despite their disciplined defensive effort, they were unable to withstand the pressure from the Americans.

U.S. goalkeeper Jack Kortkamp was called into action just once in the second half, making a crucial save on a long-range shot from Cuba’s Lazaro Diaz, as the U.S. defense remained solid throughout.

This victory not only earned the U.S. a spot in the World Cup but also secured their place at the top of Group F, ahead of Cuba, who finished in second.

The eight group winners from the Concacaf U-17 Qualifiers will advance to the newly expanded 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar, which will feature 48 teams for the first time in history.

The U.S. has been a dominant force in youth soccer, and this qualification continues their legacy as one of the top teams in the world at this age level.

The U.S. team, coached by Gonzalo Segares, showcased a well-rounded attacking game, with strong performances from a number of players.

Adams, who has been a key figure throughout the qualifiers, added to his goal tally with his opening strike against Cuba, bringing his total to 11 goals in the competition. Carrizo, the team captain and a standout talent, also contributed significantly with his goal and assist.

The dynamic play of wingers Jamir Johnson and Chance Cowell, as well as the creativity from midfielders like Jude Terry, played a major role in the team’s attacking success.

The U.S. side also benefitted from a solid defensive foundation, led by center-backs Christopher Cupps and Enrique Martinez. Fullbacks Gio Villa and Pedro Guimaraes were effective both defensively and in pushing forward to support the attack.

Despite Cuba’s best efforts to counterattack, the U.S. defense remained unyielding, not allowing a single goal in the three group-stage matches.

The U.S. U-17’s historic qualification for the World Cup sets them apart as a global powerhouse in youth soccer, with their 19th appearance in the tournament being a testament to the strength and consistency of their development programs.

The team’s performance also highlights the growing talent pool in the United States, with young players like Adams, Carrizo, and Johnson proving that they are ready to take on the best in the world.

This year’s U-17 World Cup in Qatar will be a highly anticipated event, as the U.S. looks to continue its strong showing on the global stage.

With their qualification secured, the team will shift their focus to preparation for the tournament, which will take place from November 5 to 27, 2025.

The U.S. will be looking to build on their strong showing in the qualifiers and make a deep run in the World Cup, which promises to be one of the most competitive editions in recent history.

As the U.S. celebrates this historic achievement, they now set their sights on Qatar, where they will face some of the top teams from around the globe.

The U.S. Under-17 Men’s National Team has proven that they are ready for the challenges ahead, and with a talented group of players, they will be one of the teams to watch in the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup.

Fans will be eagerly awaiting the opportunity to see the next generation of American soccer stars take to the world stage.