The USYNT striker set a new scoring record, chasing Manchester City’s Norwegian superstar in the lower leagues.
The United States U-17 national team has secured its spot at the U-17 World Cup in Qatar, making headlines with a dominant qualifying campaign. The team recorded a historic 22-goal victory, setting a new benchmark for goals scored in a World Cup qualifier.
To achieve this remarkable feat, the Stars and Stripes had eight different players on the scoresheet in a single match. However, one name stood out above the rest: Chase Adams.
The 16-year-old striker, a product of Columbus Crew’s academy who currently plays for Columbus 2 in MLS Next Pro, became the sensation of the tournament by netting 10 of the 22 goals in the United States’ thrashing of the U.S. Virgin Islands, a performance that shattered records.
Adams showcased his clinical finishing by scoring six goals in the first half alone, tormenting defenders throughout the game before reaching double digits in the second half.
With this performance, he set a new record for goals scored by a U.S. U-17 player in a World Cup qualifier, drawing comparisons to one of the game’s current superstars and hinting at a bright future ahead.
Following in Haaland’s footsteps
Few players have made an impact at the youth level quite like Erling Haaland. The Manchester City striker burst onto the scene at the U-20 World Cup, where he scored nine goals in Norway’s 12-0 rout of Honduras – a performance that foreshadowed his rise to the elite ranks of world football.
Adams has now surpassed Haaland’s tally, an achievement that puts the spotlight firmly on the young American. The weight of expectation will be a crucial factor in his development, both with the national team and at club level. His next challenge? Shining at the U-17 World Cup in Qatar.