USWNT humiliated by North Korea and will fight for third place in the World Cup

Bitter: that was the taste of the elimination of the U.S. U-20 Women's Soccer Team from the 2024 World Cup. After an emotive and full-of-twists campaign, Tracey Kevins' team couldn't overcome North Korea, losing 1-0 to them in the semi-final. A result that, while frustrating, reflects the balance of this decisive phase and the difficulties the American team faced throughout the tournament.

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North Korean Challenge

By the performance of North Korea, one could determine that they sailed into the semifinal as one of the favorites. With five victories recorded in the tournament up to that period and an astonishing run, the North Koreans had scored 23 goals and conceded just four. This was expected to be the big test it truly was for the USWNT. North Korea showed their usual speed, organization, and capability to switch from defense to attack in the blink of an eye and periodically stifled American possession.

Coming into the semifinal, USWNT had come off two tense matches involving extra time and penalties, and that took its toll. This American team just wasn't as fresh compared to their opponents, which showed during moments of this match. Coach Kevins made tactical changes and lineup adjustments; however, North Korea's intensity was hard to surmount on the day in adverse weather conditions in Cali with temperatures hovering at close to 90 degrees.

Strategic Decisions and the Choice of Dudley

Perhaps one of the most interesting decisions Kevin started was forward Jordynn Dudley. Even though Dudley had been decisive in the round of 16 win against Mexico, coming on as a second-half sub and scoring the game's only goal, and again off the bench in the quarterfinal comeback against Germany, here he made his first start of the competition for Pietra Tordin, the team's leading scorer in the tournament.

It was clear early that Dudley had the potential to be a difference-maker as she played a long ball to Emeri Adames in the 12th minute, who shot into the side netting. That would prove the Americans best chance in the first half, however. The pressure and defensive organization from North Korea made it tough on the U.S. to establish any type of rhythm going forward, with few real chances to finish.

Halfway into the first half, North Korea made the U.S. pay for a defensive mistake. Kim Song Ok sent in a perfect through ball to slice the U.S. defense wide open, sending Choe Il Son in alone in the box. Choe cooly scored her fifth goal of the tournament and U.S. keeper Teagan Wy had no chance. It was to prove the crucial moment of the match and the goal that eliminated the Americans.

Second Half More Balanced

The USWNT changed positions in the second half and found more offensive presence mainly due to the inclusion of Pietra Tordin. She made the attack more mobile, and in minute 76, she forced a good save from goalkeeper Chae Un Gyong. The North Korean defense was solid, however-as passes and transitions continued being cut off-frustrating the American attacks.

It was a second half fought hard, though the U.S. didn't receive their first corner kick until after the half was underway, and their finishing was imprecise. Ball possession was balanced but North Korea finished with more shots and more dangerous opportunities. North Korea took 18 shots to the U.S.'s seven-a significant difference reflecting the greater offensive presence of the Asian side.

What's Next?

With the elimination, the U.S. now has to focus on the bronze medal match, against whoever will be the loser of the Japan versus Netherlands semifinal. This will be the fourth time the U-20 Women's Team will be playing in the World Cup for third place. While a respectable result, it was expected to do well into the final, especially with that dramatic comeback against Germany in the quarterfinals.

The defeat to North Korea should serve as a good lesson well learned. For now, the task is to keep heads high for the third-place match. After consecutive exits in the group stage in both 2018 and 2022, at least the American team managed a significantly better outing this time around, with a possibility to match its best result since the 2012 title.

Performance Factors and Outlook

The highs and lows for the U.S. in this World Cup were seriously evident, from the dramatic win against Germany to show the resilience of the team to their recurring problems in attack, especially during the opening stages of games. The decision to start Dudley was an interesting one, but she just couldn't find the same impact she had made previously.

Besides, there is no denying that the Americans were up against top competitors. Three of the four semifinalists, including the U.S., had gone into the same group in the 2022 U-20 World Cup, putting into perspective the balance among those teams. Spain, the reigning champion, had also been a big stumbling block in group-stage qualification, and without playing Japan or the Netherlands in the semis, the Americans had already felt the weight of competition.