The U.S. Under-17 Men's National Team secured a 1-0 victory over Czechia on November 11, 2025, completing a perfect 3-0-0 record in Group I at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar. Substitute Mathis Albert scored the decisive goal in the 78th minute, assisted by Máximo Carrizo. The win marks the first time in 34 years that the USA has won all three group-stage matches.
In Doha, Qatar, at Aspire Zone Pitch 4, the USA faced Czechia needing only a draw to advance but delivered a strong performance to claim the top spot in Group I. Head coach Gonzalo Segares made seven changes to the lineup from the previous 2-1 win over Tajikistan, starting Enrique Martinez and Jordan Griffin in defense, Cooper Sanchez in midfield, and Julian Hall and Jamir Johnson up front alongside Jude Terry and Máximo Carrizo.
Czechia created the first clear chance in the 14th minute when Vit Skrkon's left-footed shot from the top of the box struck the left post, with Mateo Tsakiris deflecting the rebound for a corner. The USA responded with attacks, including Carrizo's left-footed shot saved by goalkeeper Adam Paar in the 21st minute and Cavan Sullivan's curled effort just wide in the 23rd. Sullivan nearly scored on a counter in the 42nd minute, but his shot dragged wide, sending teams to halftime scoreless.
Segares substituted Mathis Albert for Jamir Johnson at halftime. Early second-half chances came in the 48th minute with Terry's low cross missing Hall, and in the 49th minute when Albert's through ball set up Carrizo's powerful shot, tipped over by Paar. Sullivan and Albert combined for a low cross in the 61st minute that Terry couldn't connect with, and in the 64th minute, Albert's shot was deflected before Terry's volley hit the crossbar.
The breakthrough arrived in the 78th minute as Carrizo's precise pass found Albert, who finished with a right-footed shot into the lower right corner for his first tournament goal. The USA defense, led by goalkeeper Aidan Stokes, preserved the clean sheet despite late pressure. However, in second-half stoppage time, Tsakiris received a red card after a VAR review for a tackle on Dominic Zajac, suspending him for the Round of 32 match against Morocco on November 14 or 15.
Stats showed the USA with 14 shots to Czechia's 16, but only 3 on target compared to 5, with 5 saves to 2. This victory is the fourth time the USA has topped its group at the U-17 World Cup, the first perfect run since 1991, and keeps two clean sheets in three matches.