Maddie DiMaria scored four first-half goals as the United States overwhelmed Kenya’s Junior Starlets 6-1 in their second Group E match at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco on Thursday night.
The defeat at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Salé, Morocco, leaves Kenya on the brink of elimination, with their hopes of reaching the Round of 16 hanging by a thread ahead of their final group match against Samoa on Sunday, 25 October. DiMaria struck four times in the opening half before Loradana Paletta and Giana Hanf added further goals for the Americans. Lindwey Atieno scored a late wonder goal for Kenya.
The result left the United States and China on six points each, with both sides securing the top two qualifying positions in Group E after China defeated Samoa earlier in the day. Kenya, who had opened their campaign with a 3-0 defeat to China, must now beat Samoa convincingly and hope other results work in their favour to stand any chance of progressing as one of the best third-placed teams.
The Junior Starlets made a promising start, with Joan Agola delivering a low cross from the left in the third minute, only for Gigi Zuniga to block the ball inside the penalty area. However, the Americans quickly took control and broke the deadlock in the fourth minute. Captain Amari Manning burst down the right, beat Flavian Khatenje before cutting the ball back into the danger area, where DiMaria rose to head home.
The goal was another reminder of the forward’s threat, having already scored six goals in their opening game of the tournament. Carolina Reyna attempted to extend the lead with two long-range efforts, both of which sailed over the bar, as the United States continued to dominate possession and push Kenya deep into their own half.
The Junior Starlets gradually settled into the contest, but a defensive lapse in the 22nd minute allowed DiMaria to strike again. A well-timed pass from Madeline Maves released the forward through on goal, leaving her one-on-one with goalkeeper Mishel Okoyo.DiMaria kept her composure and sent a low finish past the Kenyan custodian to make it 2-0.
The Americans were forced into a change in the 30th minute when Venina Moodie went off injured, with Hanf coming on in her place. Kenya’s problems deepened after a VAR review resulted in a penalty, with Mwanakombo Bakari adjudged to have fouled Paletta inside the box.DiMaria stepped up and converted from the spot, sending the ball into the right corner to complete her hat-trick.
Starlets had a rare attempt at goal in the 38th minute when Noelina Akuku picked out Brenda Achieng on the left. The Nyakach Girls High School forward tried her luck from the edge of the box, but goalkeeper Kathy Long Carpell collected the effort comfortably. Kenya conceded another penalty shortly before half-time after a VAR review ruled that Brenda Awuor had fouled DiMaria during a challenge inside the area.
Awuor was booked, and DiMaria once again took responsibility from the spot. The Cor Jesu Academy student sent her effort into the top-left corner to complete a devastating four-goal first half and take her tournament tally to 11 goals in two matches. The halftime scenes told contrasting stories, with the Kenyan players gathering in a circle at the centre of the pitch while the Americans celebrated a commanding advantage. Kenya returned for the second half with renewed determination, but the United States struck five minutes after the restart.
Paletta capitalised on a cross from Maves to score the Americans’ fifth goal of the night. Mia Corona appeared to make it six in the 55th minute with a powerful, curling effort into the top corner. However, the goal was ruled out following a VAR review after DiMaria was deemed to have stepped on a Kenyan player during the build-up.
Starlets coach Mildred Cheche responded with a triple substitution in the 63rd minute, withdrawing Awuor, Gaudencia Maloba and Achieng for Tabitha Wambui, Emily Mbuya and Daisy Adongo.
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United States coach Ciara Crinion also made a change, introducing Isabella Ortiz for Corona. Despite the changes, the Americans continued to dictate proceedings, repeatedly testing Kenya’s defensive organisation with attacks into the final third. Kenya made another substitution in the 76th minute, with Peninah Foustine replacing Joan Orwa.
The Junior Starlets were briefly hopeful of winning a penalty when Zuniga appeared to make contact with a Kenyan player inside the area. However, after reviewing the incident, the referee ruled that the American defender had played the ball first.
With nine minutes remaining, the United States withdrew DiMaria and Grace Murray, bringing on Deus Stanislaus and Jordyn Heathcock. Okoyo made several saves in the closing stages to prevent the scoreline from growing further, but the Americans found another goal in stoppage time when Hanf struck to make it 6-0. Atieno then grabbed a consolation for Kenya in the sixth minute of added time with a long-range strike after spotting the goalkeeper off her line, giving the Junior Starlets something to show for their efforts after a difficult evening.