Historic Blowout: US U-17 Women Crush Samoa 17-0
The United States U-17 Women’s team kicked off their World Cup journey in spectacular fashion, demolishing Samoa 17-0 in what is now the largest victory ever recorded in World Cup history at any age level.
This monumental win eclipsed the previous record of a 16-0 triumph by Morocco against New Caledonia during the 2025 U-17 men’s World Cup. The US showcased their offensive prowess with ten different players finding the net, but it was Maddie DiMaria who truly stole the show, netting six goals in Salé, Morocco.
"I wasn't aware we were breaking a record, but I’m super proud of this group and it’s great for them to achieve something like this," said US coach Ciara Crinion, reflecting on the historic match.
DiMaria, a 17-year-old high school standout from St. Louis, opened her scoring account 63 minutes into the contest. Her six-goal haul is not only a record for a US player but also the highest number of goals scored by any player in a Women’s World Cup match at any level.
In doing so, she became the first player to score six in a single FIFA finals match since Erling Haaland’s astonishing nine-goal performance at the U-20 men’s World Cup in 2019. "That means everything; he’s an inspiration," DiMaria shared, expressing her admiration for Haaland. "To be the next player behind that is such an honor. I feel blessed to have my teammates setting me up perfectly."
The US team was relentless, leading 9-0 at halftime and finishing the match with a staggering 58 shots. Carolina Reyna, sister of USMNT midfielder Gio Reyna, and 15-year-old Loradana Paletta each contributed two goals to the scoreline. Despite the onslaught, Samoa’s goalkeeper, Susahna Peacock, made a commendable 13 saves.
This was Samoa's first appearance in the U-17 Women’s World Cup, having joined the tournament after FIFA expanded the field from 16 to 24 teams in 2025. The ongoing initiative aims to promote youth development, but it can also lead to some lopsided results, as seen in this match.
The outcome sparked memories of the US senior team's 13-0 victory over Thailand during the 2019 Women’s World Cup, where Alex Morgan scored five times. Following that match, the US faced criticism for running up the score. The 2019 tournament was also notable for being the first with a 24-team format.
US midfielder Julie Ertz had previously addressed the importance of respecting opponents, stating, "We take any opponent we have very seriously. We prepare the same way. We have our scouting reports. We train with intensity. And that’s how we show we’re not going to take any opponent lightly."
Looking ahead, the US will face Kenya in their next group-stage match on Thursday, after Kenya suffered a 3-0 defeat to China in their opener. Despite their dominant start, the Americans are still chasing their first tournament title after reaching the final in the inaugural edition in 2008 and only making one semi-final appearance since, in 2024. Reigning champions North Korea will be a tough hurdle to overcome.
