
As the minutes ticked down in overtime between the U-20 U.S. women’s national team and their counterparts from the Netherlands, tied with one goal apiece, it looked like penalty kicks would once again decide the Americans’ result. However, in the 119th minute, Maddie Dahlien forced an own goal off of Nayomi Buikema to earn the United States’ first medal in the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup since 2012, when they won the whole thing.
The United States got the scoring started early with a beautiful strike from outside the box by Ally Sentnor in the 10th minute. The unstoppable curler was the Utah Royals forward’s third goal of this World Cup and the 12th of her U-20 career.
The Dutch would fire back just 16 minutes later through a connection of PSV Eindhoven teammates. Robin Lacroix scored the equalizer for the Oranje with a relatively easy, close finish set up by Fleur Stoit. It was their first shot on goal of the game and one of only three produced.
Both teams continued to have chances, and though the U.S. created more they could not find another goal before extra time. Like their impressive extra-time comeback in the quarterfinals, the Americans kept pushing and eventually got a well-deserved goal just in time to avoid a penalty shootout. The bronze medalists outshot the Dutch 26-11 and forced goalkeeper Femke Liefting into several difficult saves, seven in total.
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Eight players from the bronze-medal-winning squad will now return to their NWSL clubs having played various roles in the major tournament.
The No. 1 overall pick from the 2024, and final, NWSL Draft, Sentnor will go back to Utah where she is the centerpiece of the expansion team’s attack and goalscoring. She’s played the full 90 minutes in all but two NWSL regular season games before the World Cup, and has racked up similar minutes with the U-20s. So, the young player might need some time to rest. The Royals, however, will want their leading goalscorer back sooner rather than later in their playoff push.
Defender Jordyn Bugg and attacker Emeri Adames will return to a struggling Reign team that could use some of their dependability and creativity respectively. Bugg played all but four minutes of the tournament at center back despite being the third-youngest player on the roster. Adames tallied the most assists (4) at a U-20 World Cup since Heather O’Reilly recorded seven in 2002.
Outside backs Savy King and Gisele Thompson will both return to California to Bay FC and Angel City FC, respectively. Both teams are still in the race for the playoffs as their young defenders return confident and more experienced.
Claire Hutton, who returned to the field in the third-place match after sitting out the previous two matches in concussion protocol, will rejoin the Kansas City Current where she has been a regular starter in the midfield. Despite being just 18 years old, Hutton regularly played full games for KC and is poised to continue making a big impact on the serious contenders.
Riley Jackson had a strong tournament in the American midfield, setting play and making important defensive interventions. Though she has played sparingly for the North Carolina Courage, perhaps the strong performance in Colombia will impact her return form.
Orlando Pride midfielder Ally Lemos also played sparingly before this World Cup but could provide sparks off the bench for the league leaders.
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