U.S. U17 WNT Win Torneo Femminile Delle Nazioni
A pair of standout players from San Diego Surf helped the U.S. U17 WNT hoist the Torneo Femminile Delle Nazioni in Italy over the weekend. San Diego Surf is regarded is one of the top clubs in the nation for developing talent that competes at the highest level.
Youth Soccer News: The U.S. U17 Women’s National Team defeated Italy in a six-goal victory to take home the title at the Torneo Femminile Delle Nazioni.
San Diego Surf SC standouts helped the U.S. claim its final win, with Mia Fishel starting in the match and Madison Mercado coming on as a substitute.
Based in Southern California and known internationally, Surf SC is highly respected for developing elite players and is celebrating 40 years of dedication as a premier youth soccer club in 2017. With more than 25 Surf SC players called up to U.S. Soccer player trainings in the recent months, the club is proud of its players and their talent and hard work.
“Surf SC is proud to be an integral part of our young players’ development,” said Josh Henderson, Senior Director of Coaching and Surf SC Vice President. “Mia and Maddie are great examples of what hard work and dedication can do in conjunction with Surf’s priority to place each player in the best possible training environment.
“Once again, Mia and Maddie have done the club proud,” said Mark Spooner, Director of Girls at Surf SC. “These trips are not only great from a development stand point but they are creating lifelong memories in countries some of us will never get to go see and having to deal with the challenges that come with those types of trips.”
“Mia & Maddie’s continued involvement in the US WNT set up is testament to the effort and dedication they put into their game. Both a very humble, hard working girls who have been open to all the challenges we’ve placed them in throughout the club soccer environment at Surf,” said Louis Hunt, Girls Assistant Director of Coaching and 2000 and 2001 ECNL Head Coach. “They’ve taken that great attitude and work ethic into the US Soccer Youth teams and continue to improve and succeed.”
U.S. Under-17 Women’s National Team Game Recap:
Coached by Mark Carr, the U.S. Under-17 Women’s National Team scored three goals in each half during a phenomenal championship game performance to defeat host Italy 6-0 and take home the title at the Torneo Femminile Delle Nazioni.
In the six-goal victory, Maya Doms scored two goals, finding the net twice in a four-minute span in the first half, while Fishel, Kalyssa Van Zanten, Croix Bethune and Lia Godfrey all added to the tally.
In the 16th minute, Van Zanten ran onto a long throw-in down the left flank, cut into the penalty box and played a pass back to Fishel who struck her shot first-time off the leg of the diving goalkeeper and into the lower right corner.
“We are thrilled for the girls and we are looking forward to having them around San Diego for a little while,” said Spooner.
The USA competed in four matches in five days, and after a 1-1 draw in its opening game against Slovenia, the USA rebounded impressively to defeat Mexico 4-0, England 2-0 and then Italy 6-0.
The Torneo Delle Nazioni has been held for boys’ teams for the past 14 years — including this year — but this is just the second time the tournament has been held for women’s teams.
The year’s competition was for players born in 2001 or later. The U.S. roster featured 18 players born in 2001, which is the age cut-off year for the next FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup which will be staged in Uruguay.
Related: U.S. Soccer Match Recap
