The U.S. under-17 men’s national team kicked off qualifying for the 2025 U-17 World Cup on Monday, and they did so in record fashion. Riding 10 — yes, 10 — goals from 16-year-old Columbus Crew 2 forward Chase Adams, the U.S. beat the Virgin Islands U-17s 22-0.
The result is the largest margin of victory ever recorded by a U.S. team in a World Cup qualifier at any level, men’s or women’s. The U-17 women’s national team were the previous record holders, beating Grenada 20-0 in a U-17 World Cup qualifier in 2020. Adams’ 10-goal performance is the most ever by a U.S. player in a qualifying match, men or women.
Adams, the standout of the night, recorded a hat trick in a four-minute span in the first half.
Chase Adams bangs a header in for the United States! 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/O9XLKt0WSI
— Concacaf (@Concacaf) February 11, 2025
The scoresheet is dizzying: NYCFC midfielder Máximo Carrizo scored four goals. Chance Cowell, the younger brother of USMNT player Cade Cowell, tallied a pair of his own, as did LAFC homegrown Jude Terry. Four other U.S. players also found the back of the net. The U.S. were up 14-0 at halftime.
The match was the first encounter between the U.S. and the Virgin Islands in U-17 international. The USVI entered the match riding an 18-match losing streak, their last victory having come in August of 2006.
The U-17 World Cup expanded to 48 teams for this edition and as a consequence, qualifying has also been greatly expanded, leading to matchups like these. CONCACAF alone features eight qualifying groups, with all eight of the group winners advancing to the tournament itself.
The U.S. U-17s continue play on Wednesday against St. Kitts and Nevis and wrap up qualifying on Saturday with a match against Cuba. The World Cup itself will be played during the month of November.
(Photo: Courtesy of U.S. Soccer)
