10/7/24 - The US Mini Football Women's National Team opened its title defense at the 2024 WMF Women's World Cup with a 4-0 win over Czech Republic in Mali Losinj, Croatia.

Czech Republic has been a thorn in the side of the men's national team, but this was the first meeting between the women's squads.

The first half was tightly contested with Emaly Vatne breaking a scoreless tie in the 10th minute on a rebound goal that initiated from an Alivia Milesky shot.

The US clung to their 1-0 lead until more than halfway through the second half when Erin Yenney stole a ball and drove it across the box for Kenne Kessler to tap in in the 40th minute.

Kelsey Keown struck three minutes later on a long pass from Gabby Byorth to make it 3-0, and Kessler scored in the last minute, showing her power and speed by going nearly end-to-end to provide the final margin.

Elyssa Francis picked up the shutout in her World Cup debut.

The US women will play their second opening round game on Tuesday against Costa Rica at 3:45 EDT.

1-0 Vatne (Milesky) 10'
2-0 Kessler (Yenney) 40'
3-0 Keown (G. Byorth) 43'
4-0 Kessler (Battisti) 50'