US Women's U17 Team Wins 17-0 in World Cup Record

A group of teenage soccer players just rewrote the World Cup record books in the most spectacular way possible.

The United States Women's Under-17 team kicked off their World Cup campaign in Morocco on Monday with an astonishing 17-0 victory over Samoa. The win shattered the previous record for the largest margin in any 11-a-side World Cup, surpassing Morocco's 16-0 win in the boys' under-17 tournament.

Ten different American players scored in the historic match. The team dominated from the opening whistle, recording 58 shots and leading 9-0 by halftime.

The breakout star was Maddie DiMaria, who opened her scoring in the 63rd minute and didn't stop until she had six goals to her name. She became the first player to score six goals in a single FIFA Finals match since Erling Haaland netted nine at the Under-20 Men's World Cup.

"That means everything; he's an inspiration," DiMaria said after the match. "To be the next player behind that is just such an honor. I'm super blessed to have all those girls finding me in the right places."

The North Carolina commit wasn't alone in her brilliance. Carolina Reyna and Loradana Paletta each added two goals to the tally, showcasing the depth of talent on the American squad.

Why This Inspires

Head coach Ciara Crinion didn't know they were breaking records during the game, but the achievement speaks to something bigger than just one lopsided score. FIFA recently expanded the tournament from 16 to 24 teams specifically to prioritize youth development worldwide and give more young players the chance to compete on soccer's biggest stage.

While the margin was massive, Samoa goalkeeper Susahna Peacock showed tremendous heart, making 13 saves against relentless pressure. Her team's participation represents progress for women's soccer in the Pacific Islands, where the sport continues to grow.

"I'm super proud of this group and it's nice that they have something like that behind their name," Crinion said of her history-making squad.

The United States faces Kenya next on Thursday as they continue their quest for the tournament title, carrying momentum and a place in the record books that may stand for years to come.