There were no late-game heroics for the U.S. women this time.
The bronze medal is the best the Americans can do at the Under-20 World Cup after falling 1-0 to North Korea in the semifinals Wednesday afternoon. The USYNT will play the Netherlands in Saturday’s third-place game.
The Americans reached the semifinals with a stunning victory over Germany, winning on penalties after scoring two goals within 90 seconds deep into second-half stoppage time. But that game seemed to take some effort out of the USYNT, who were chasing North Korea for much of the first 75 minutes of the game.
North Korea scored the only goal it needed in the 22nd minute, and had a 17-7 shot advantage on the Americans. U.S. goalkeeper Teagan Wy kept the USYNT in the game, making a couple of nice saves early in the second half. Pietra Tordin had the best chance for the Americans, in the 78th, but North Korea’s keeper made a diving block on it.
USA vs. PRK score
USA: 0
North Korea: 1
First half
PRK goal — Choe Il Son (22′, Kim Song Ok assist)
North Korea makes more stoppage time subs
Riley Jackson earns yellow card
North Korea makes its first sub in second-half stoppage time
North Korea has made a sub! North Korea has made a sub!
After playing the first 90 minutes with the same 11 outfield players, North Korea finally made a sub in the first minute of stoppage time. Jon Ryong-jong was replaced by Jong Kum.
US makes its final substitutions
Maddie Dahlien replaces Yuna McCormack
Down 1-0 and with time running out, U.S. coach Tracey Kevins has added another attacking option to the pitch.
Pietra Tordin has best chance yet for US vs. North Korea
Teagan Wy’s saves keeping the US in the game
If the U.S. women come back to win this one, keeper Teagan Wy will deserve much of the credit.
North Korea has dominated the game, keeping Wy busy. With the Americans trailing 1-0, Wy kept the game from getting too far out of reach with a terrific kick save in the 50th minute. North Korea captain Chae Un-young went near post from about 10 yards out, but Wy extended her leg and blocked the shot.
US subs on two players
U.S. coach Tracey Kevins made her first personnel moves of the game, subbing on defender Leah Klenke and forward Pietra Tordin in the 57th minute.
US down at halftime, being outplayed by North Korea
The U.S. women have some work to do in their semifinal against North Korea in the Under-20 World Cup.
The Americans trail 1-0 at halftime. That might not seem insurmountable considering the USYNT scored two goals in less than two mintues deep into second-half stoppage time in their quarterfinal against Germany.
Jordynn Dudley receives a yellow card
PRK 1, USA 0: North Korea breaks through on Choe Il Son
North Korea’s top goal-scorer Choe Il Son ended the scoreless deadlock in the 22nd minute, sliding a shot past U.S. goalkeeper Teagan Wy.
US goalkeeper Teagan Wy is busy early
North Korea has had the better of the chances in the early going, with two shots on goal — including one from Kim Song Gyong that went off the post — and two corner kicks. Fortunately for the U.S., no shots have gotten past goalkeeper Teagan Wy.
It’s hot in Cali, Colombia
Game time temperature at the Estadio Olimpico Pascual Guerrero was listed as 32 degrees Celcius (89 degrees Fahrenheit).
32 degrees Celcius is considered ‘extreme heat’ by FIFPRO and will require hydration breaks. — Jim Reineking
When is the USWNT U-20 World Cup semifinal game?
The U.S. women’s U-20 team will face North Korea at 5:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Sept. 18. The semifinal match will be held at the Estadio Olimpico Pascual Guerrero in Cali, Colombia.
How to watch United States U-20 vs. North Korea U-20
The match will air on FS2 and streamed via FOXSports.com. Streaming also available on Fubo TV.
US U-20 Women’s World Cup semifinal starting lineup vs. North Korea
FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup bracket
The U.S.-North Korea semifinal winner will face the winner of the Japan-Netherlands semifinal (6 p.m. ET on FS2) in the U-20 Women’s World Cup final, which will be played Sunday, Sept. 22 at Estadio El Campín in Bogotá, Colombia.
The semifinal losers will play in the third-place match, which will take place Saturday, Sept. 21, also at Estadio El Campín in Bogotá, Colombia.
USWNT’s road to the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup semifinal
Sept. 1: Group stage — 1-0 loss to Spain
Sept. 4: Group stage — 2-0 win over Morocco
Sept. 7: Group stage — 7-0 win over Paraguay
Sept. 11: Round of 16 — 3-2 win over Mexico
Sept. 15: Quarterfinals — 2-2 (3-1 penalty shootout) win over Germany
Who are the USWNT’s top goal-scorers at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup?
Pietra Tordin: 4
Maddie Dahlien: 2
Jordynn Dudley: 2
Yuna McCormack: 2
Ally Sentnor: 2
Gisele Thompson: 1
USWNT U-20 roster
Goalkeepers (3): Caroline Birkel (St. Louis Scott Gallagher; St. Louis, Missouri), Mackenzie Gress (Penn State; Lyndhurst, N.J.), Teagan Wy (California; Rancho Santa Margarita, California)
Defenders (6): Jordyn Bugg (Seattle Reign; El Cajon, California), Elise Evans (Stanford; Redwood City, California), Heather Gilchrist (Florida State, Boulder, Colorado), Savy King (Bay FC; West Hills, California), Leah Klenke (Notre Dame; Houston, Texas), Gisele Thompson (Angel City FC; Studio City, California)
Midfielders (6): Addison Halpern (PDA; Middlesex, N.J.), Claire Hutton (Kansas City Current; Bethlehem, N.Y.), Riley Jackson (North Carolina Courage; Roswell, Georgia), Ally Lemos (Orlando Pride; Glendora, California), Yuna McCormack (Virginia; Mill Valley, California), Taylor Suarez (Florida State; Charlotte, N.C.)
Forwards (6): Emeri Adames (Seattle Reign; Red Oak, Texas), Maddie Dahlien (North Carolina; Edina, Minnesota), Jordynn Dudley (Florida State; Milton, Georgia), Giana Riley (Florida State; Manteca, California), Ally Sentnor (Utah Royals; Hanson, Massachusetts), Pietra Tordin (Princeton; Miami, Florida)
We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY operates independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.
The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.
