U.S. Under-17 Women's National Team Earns Dominant 3-0 Win Over Denmark to Close Two-Match January Window
Sophia Ahrens, Loradana Paletta and Deus Stanislaus Score in Second Half; Saunders earns the U.S. a Clean Sheet
LA NUCIA, Spain (Jan. 14, 2026) — The U.S. Under-17 Women’s National Team defeated Denmark, 3-0, in the second of two friendly matches in Spain during its January training camp.
The first half saw no scoring, but the U.S. was on the front foot the entire time. By the end of the match, the U.S. had outshot Denmark 17-3 with eleven of those shots on target.
The U.S. finally broke through in the 47th minute, earning a free kick that midfielder Jordyn Heathcock sent the ball into the box. Defender Sophia Ahrens got a foot on it to score her first Youth National Team goal in her first YNT international call up. She made her debut for the U.S. three days earlier in the 2-2 draw against Germany.
The U.S. would continue to control momentum and stay on the attack. In the 83rd minute, midfielder Loradana Paletta -- the youngest on the team, born in 2011 — ripped a shot that was deflected by a Denmark defender, but she followed her shot and sent the rebounded ball past goalkeeper Isabella Andersen.
Six minutes later, the U.S. would score a third and final goal on the day. Defender Sam Ogden intercepted a pass and dribbled through the midfield. She played a ball up to forward Deus Stanislaus who finished with her left foot in the 89thminute.
Goalkeeper Avellina Saunders earned the first U-17 clean sheet of 2026.
The U.S. left Spain with one win and one draw to start 2026 as they prepare for 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifications this spring.
-U.S. U-17 Women’s National Team Match Report-
Match: United States U-17 Women’s National Team vs. Denmark U-17 WNT
Date: January 14, 2026
Competition: International Friendly
Venue: Club Deportivo Sporting Fútbol Sala La Nucia; La Nucia, Spain
Weather: 49 degrees, cloudy and breezy
| Scoring Summary | 1 | 2 | F |
| USA | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| DEN | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| USA – Sophia Ahrens (Jordyn Heathcock) | 47th minute |
| USA – Loradana Paletta | 83 |
| USA – Deus Stanislaus (Sam Ogden) | 89 |
Lineups:
USA: 1-Avellina Saunders; 18-Gigi Zuniga (2-Kendra Hansen, 46), 4-Sophia Ahrens, 5-Anaiah Williams (Capt.) (14-Maddie Maves, 76), 3-Venina Moodie (13-Sam Ogden, 76); 15-Jordyn Heathcock (10-Mia Corona, 62), 6-Grace Murray (8-Loradana Paletta, 46), 20-Bridget Kopmeyer; 16-Carolina Reyna (11-Amari Manning, 62), 19-Gianna Hanf (9-Deus Stanislaus, 46), 17-Jordyn Sullivan (7-Maddie DiMaria, 71)
Subs not used: 12-Olivia Hansen
Head Coach: Ciara Crinion
DEN: 1-Isabella Andersen (Capt.); 5-Jenny Ngounou, 13-Caroline Ahle, 3-Sarah Vinther (15-Mille Kjaergaard, 63), 6-Evelina Thygesen; 10-Mila Bischoff, 17-Josephine Lamp, 7-Nikoline Klintskov (4-Cecilie Harsløf, 81), 9-Nikoline Nielsen (18-Frøya Ebbesvik, 63); 14-Frederikke Ludvigsen (20-Frida Frederiksen, 63), 11-Laerke Mølholm (8-Line Aagesen, 81)
Subs not used: N/A
Head Coach: Kristine Pedersen
Stats Summary: USA / DEN
Shots: 17 / 3
Shots on Goal: 11 / 2
Saves: 2 / 8
Corner Kicks: 16 / 1
Fouls: 3 / 3
Offside: 5 / 0
| Misconduct Summary |
| USA – Gracey Murray (Caution) | 36th minute |