Photo by: U.S. Soccer
Armstrong, USA Earn Bronze At FIFA U17 World Cup
November 3, 2024 | Women's Soccer
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic – The United States Under-17 Women's Youth National Team earned the bronze medal at the 2024 FIFA U17 World Cup following its 3-0 win over England at Estadio Olímpico Félix Sánchez in Santo Domingo on Sunday afternoon.
North Carolina freshman defender Trinity Armstrong represented Team USA at the FIFA U17 World Cup in the Dominican Republic. The tournament took place from Oct. 16-Nov. 3.Â
It was a historic medal for the USYNT. It was their first medal and best U17 Women's World Cup finish since the inaugural event in 2008 when it garnered silver. Â
The U.S. U20 National Team – which featured current UNC junior Maddie Dahlien along with former standouts Savy King and Ally Sentnor – also earned bronze at the FIFA U20 World Cup in September. Throw in the USWNT's triumph at the Paris Olympics and the USA is the only country to reach the podium in each of FIFA's three world championship events for women in 2024.Â
It was just the third time a country had accomplished that feat in a calendar year and the second by the USA. Both Germany and the USA earned three podium finishes in 2008.Â
In the Dominican Republic, the stars and stripes went 2-1 in stage play to finish second in Group B standings with six points behind two-time defending U17 champion Spain. They advanced to the quarterfinals for the third time in six FIFA U17 World Cup appearances, ultimately beating Nigeria 2-0.Â
The USA then reached the semifinals for the second time in event history and the first time since the inaugural tournament in 2008, suffering a narrow 1-0 loss to Korea DPR before bouncing back for a 3-0 shutout over England to collect bronze.
Starting at center back, Armstrong played every minute of all six contests. She helped Team USA secure four shutouts during the tournament.Â
The 17-year-old Armstrong was one of four college players on the U.S. roster, and she now has 10 international caps already on her resume. She was the only current college player in the starting XI against Spain in the World Cup opener.
Team USA U17 World Cup Schedule
Group StageÂ
Wednesday, Oct. 16 – Spain def. USA, 3-1
Saturday, Oct. 19 – USA def. Colombia, 2-0
Tuesday, Oct. 22 – USA def. Korea Republic, 5-0
Knockout Rounds
Saturday, Oct. 26 – Quarterfinals: USA def. Nigeria, 2-0
Wednesday, Oct. 30 – Semifinals: Korea DPR def. USA, 1-0Â
Sunday, Nov. 3 – Bronze medal match: USA def. England, 3-0
Armstrong was the youngest player on the U.S. squad that won the Concacaf U17 Championships in February to secure a spot in the World Cup. She was named captain against Puerto Rico in that tournament.Â
Enrolling in college a year early, Armstrong quickly became an anchor on Carolina's back line. She helped limit opponents to 6.5 shots per game and 2.7 shots on goal per game – in addition to being instrumental in seven shutouts on the season – before leaving for national team duties on Oct. 6.Â
The Frisco, Texas native started the first 13 matches of the season. She was named the Atlantic Coast Conference Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 24, becoming the first freshman to win the award this season. She was also ranked No. 4 on Top Drawer Soccer's Midseason Top 100 Freshmen list.
Stay up to date with UNC women's soccer by following the Tar Heels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
North Carolina freshman defender Trinity Armstrong represented Team USA at the FIFA U17 World Cup in the Dominican Republic. The tournament took place from Oct. 16-Nov. 3.Â
It was a historic medal for the USYNT. It was their first medal and best U17 Women's World Cup finish since the inaugural event in 2008 when it garnered silver. Â
The U.S. U20 National Team – which featured current UNC junior Maddie Dahlien along with former standouts Savy King and Ally Sentnor – also earned bronze at the FIFA U20 World Cup in September. Throw in the USWNT's triumph at the Paris Olympics and the USA is the only country to reach the podium in each of FIFA's three world championship events for women in 2024.Â
It was just the third time a country had accomplished that feat in a calendar year and the second by the USA. Both Germany and the USA earned three podium finishes in 2008.Â
In the Dominican Republic, the stars and stripes went 2-1 in stage play to finish second in Group B standings with six points behind two-time defending U17 champion Spain. They advanced to the quarterfinals for the third time in six FIFA U17 World Cup appearances, ultimately beating Nigeria 2-0.Â
The USA then reached the semifinals for the second time in event history and the first time since the inaugural tournament in 2008, suffering a narrow 1-0 loss to Korea DPR before bouncing back for a 3-0 shutout over England to collect bronze.
Starting at center back, Armstrong played every minute of all six contests. She helped Team USA secure four shutouts during the tournament.Â
The 17-year-old Armstrong was one of four college players on the U.S. roster, and she now has 10 international caps already on her resume. She was the only current college player in the starting XI against Spain in the World Cup opener.
Team USA U17 World Cup Schedule
Group StageÂ
Wednesday, Oct. 16 – Spain def. USA, 3-1
Saturday, Oct. 19 – USA def. Colombia, 2-0
Tuesday, Oct. 22 – USA def. Korea Republic, 5-0
Knockout Rounds
Saturday, Oct. 26 – Quarterfinals: USA def. Nigeria, 2-0
Wednesday, Oct. 30 – Semifinals: Korea DPR def. USA, 1-0Â
Sunday, Nov. 3 – Bronze medal match: USA def. England, 3-0
Armstrong was the youngest player on the U.S. squad that won the Concacaf U17 Championships in February to secure a spot in the World Cup. She was named captain against Puerto Rico in that tournament.Â
Enrolling in college a year early, Armstrong quickly became an anchor on Carolina's back line. She helped limit opponents to 6.5 shots per game and 2.7 shots on goal per game – in addition to being instrumental in seven shutouts on the season – before leaving for national team duties on Oct. 6.Â
The Frisco, Texas native started the first 13 matches of the season. She was named the Atlantic Coast Conference Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 24, becoming the first freshman to win the award this season. She was also ranked No. 4 on Top Drawer Soccer's Midseason Top 100 Freshmen list.
Stay up to date with UNC women's soccer by following the Tar Heels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Players Mentioned
Defender
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Forward
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Midfielder/Forward
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