USA's Frankie Tagliaferri (#20) battles with Fuseina Mumuni of Ghana during their FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup match at King Abdullah II International Stadium on October 4, 2016, in Amman, Jordan. (Photo: FIFA via Getty Images)
AMMAN, Jordan -- The United States (1W-0D-1L, 3 points) dropped a 2-1 decision to Ghana (1-0-1, 3) in the 2016 FIFA U-17 World Cup at King Abdullah II International Stadium on Tuesday.
With the loss, the Americans now sit second in Group D, three points behind Japan – a 5-0 winner over Paraguay – and ahead of Ghana on goal difference (+4 to -4).
Frankie Tagliaferri put the U.S. ahead 1-0 in the fifth minute, when she collected a one-touch Civana Kuhlmann pass, raced into the right side of the box and calmly placed a right-footed shot just inside the left post from 10-yards out. The goals was Tagliaferri’s second in as many games.
Ghana attacked relentlessly for the remainder of the match, eventually outshooting the CONCACAF champion, 24-11.
Gifty Acheampong’s header at the left post leveled the score in the 63rd minute, while Sandra Owusu-Ansah netted the game-winner from the penalty spot with six minutes remaining in normal time after Kiara Pickett was whistled for a handball
Ashley Sanchez thought she had put the U.S. up 2-1. Her shot from outside the box crashed off the crossbar and went straight up in the air. Goalkeeper Kayza Massey couldn’t locate the ball, which bounced off the turf and hit the underside of the crossbar, before it was cleared from from danger.
Next Match: October 8, 2016, v Japan
2016 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup
October 4, 2016: King Abdullah II International Stadium -- Amman, Jordan (Att: 2, 000)
USA-Ghana 1-2 (1-0)
Frankie Tagliaferri 5’ / Gifty Acheampong 63’; Sandra Owusu-Ansah 84’ pen
USA: Laurel Ivory; Naomi Girma, Karina Rodriguez, Kiara Pickett (Isabel Rodriguez 85’), Kate Wiesner (Kennedy Wesley 57’), Alex Spaanstra, Briana Pinto, Jaelin Howell, Frankie Tagliaferri (Sophia Smith 56), Ashley Sanchez, Civana Kuhlmann. Head Coach: B.J. Snow
Ghana: Kayza Massey; Uwaisa Mawia, Cecilia Hagan, Philicity Asuako, Blessing Agbomadzi, Grace Asantewaa, Gifty Acheampong, Fuseina Mumuni, Rafia Kulchirie, Sandra Owusu-Ansah, Adizatu Mustapha (Konadu Adjei 86’). Head Coach: Evans Adotey
R: Laura Fortunato (Argentina); AR1: Daiana Milone (Argentina); AR2: Leslie Vasquez (Chile); 4th: Mirian Leon (El Salvador)
