10/10/24 - The US Mini Football Women's National Team claimed its second WMF Women's World Cup title in a row, edging Mexico 4-3 on penalty kicks after regulation time and 10 minutes of overtime resulted in a 1-1 stalemate Thursday afternoon in Mali Losinj, Croatia.

Mexico, whose players come mostly from the Chihuahua Savage women's team, has easily been the toughest opponent the US women have faced. Prior meetings have resulted in a series of close games, and this one was no different.

Things got off to a brisk start offensively. In the 5th minute Emily Byorth's cross bypassed Erin Yenney to find the foot of a streaking Ashley Gogolin, who gave the US a 1-0 lead. Seconds later Mexico's Andrea Gallegos tied the game and the US came close to quickly retaking the lead, but ultimately neither team would score in the remaining 45 minutes of regulation time, or in the 10 minutes of overtime.

The US had the bulk of the chances, with Mexico's defenders blocking three balls off the goal line and a Kate Drummond shot that hit off the post in overtime. Elyssa Francis made two outstanding diving saves for the US in the first half.

After the scoreless overtime that consisted of two five-minute halves, the US and Mexico successfully converted each of their three rounds of penalty kicks, forcing a sudden death round. This time the post was Drummond's friend, tucking her shot in off the top crossbar, bringing up Mexico's Silvia Castillo with the game on the line. Francis, dove to her left, blocking Castillo's shot with her leg, clinching the 2024 WMF Women's World Cup for the US. Francis, who was named the tournament's Top Goalkeeper, was mobbed by her jubilant teammates.

"This is a special group," said Head Coach Craig Rhodis. "When we selected this roster, we weren't just looking for the best small sided players, we wanted the ones that could play the style we wanted to play, help us create the environment we wanted to create within our team. This group was all that and more. Anyone who has not seen them play is missing out, even the fans knew it. By the time they got to the final the crowd was chanting USA. This group of players, combined with mark, Ian, Franck and Uzi, really made it special. Great group, even better people."

“Winning back to back WMF Women’s World Cup titles shows how valuable our women’s indoor soccer league has been for the development of our minifootball national team," said US Goalkeeper Coach Mark Litton. "The new MASLW league will continue this tradition of developing world championship caliber talent. I am so very proud of this group of women not only for winning their second World Cup, but for providing a clear pathway for the next generation of players who are striving to also be world champions.”

“It is clear this team raised the standard of women’s minifootball once again," said US forward Christy Zwolski. "I could not be more proud to suit up with this inspiring, talented group and achieve what we came to do this past week, both on and off the field.”

"We grew into the tournament, took lessons with us each game, and battled through tough conditions and a strong opponent in the final," said US Team Captain Erin Yenney. "Our mentality no doubt helped us get the job done and I’m proud of the group for fighting through.

"Defenders often don’t receive recognition they deserve, and even though everyone was committed on both sides of the ball, our defenders were huge for us the last two games. And Elyssa in goal was incredible and a difference maker.

"It was fun to play together in these high pressure kind of games - it’s want you want as a player," Yenney continued. "I think this will motivate the group to continue to raise the level back home knowing the competition is going to continue to get tougher and tougher each cycle, and as 2 time champions we know we have to keep pushing the limits if we want to stay on top.”

1-0 USA Gogolin (E. Byorth) 5'
1-1 Mex Gallegos 5'

Penalty Kicks
1-0 USA, Kessler (goal)
1-1 Mex, Gomez (goal)
2-1 USA, Vatne (goal)
2-2 Mex, Gutierrez (goal)
3-2 USA, Yenney (goal)
3-3 Mex, Gallegos (goal)
4-3 USA, Drummond (goal)
4-3 Mex, Castillo (saved)