In a thrilling semi-final of the U-15 CONMEBOL Championships, Chile faced Ecuador. Chile entered the match with an unbeaten run of four wins in the group stage, while Ecuador had a tougher road, managing one win, two draws, and a loss.

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Ecuador struck first through Edwin Quintero in the 9th minute. Despite their early dominance, Chile responded when Vicente Martínez leveled the score in the 32nd minute. Just four minutes later, Matías Orellana put Chile ahead 2-1. Ecuador’s Justin Lerma quickly answered, making it 2-2 before halftime.

The second half saw Juan Ángulo give Ecuador the lead again in the 44th minute. But Chile refused to back down, with Agustín Silva equalizing in the 83rd minute to force penalties. Ecuador ultimately edged Chile 4-3 in the shootout, securing their place in the final.

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The second semi-final was an equally intense showdown between Argentina and Paraguay. Thomas de Martis put Argentina ahead in the 17th minute, but Paraguay’s Alan Ledesma equalized in the 27th. Just before halftime, Santiago Espíndola restored Argentina’s lead, but Paraguay’s Mauricio De Carvalho struck in the 54th minute to tie the game at 2-2. Once again, penalties decided the outcome, with Paraguay triumphing 4-3 to book their spot in the final.

The South American U-15 Championship final will feature Paraguay versus Ecuador on Saturday, October 19th at 7:30 p.m. (local time) at the Ramón Aguilera Costas Stadium in Santa Cruz de la Sierra.

The Next Domestic Stars On the Global Stage

Every year, the prestigious UK publication, The Guardian, highlights the 60 best young football talents under 18. In past editions, notable players like Christian Pulisic, Timothy Weah, and Gio Reyna made the list. This year, two standout American prospects, Christian McFarlane and Zavier Gozo, have earned their place among the elite.

Zavier Gozo offers a unique blend of creativity and grit, standing out as a versatile forward who can play across the attack—whether on the wing, as a No. 10, or a center-forward. Known for his quick feet, speed, and creativity, Gozo has already made his mark at Real Salt Lake, debuting at just 16 years old, making him the third-youngest player in the club’s history. He’s also gained valuable experience in MLS and the US Open Cup this season, and was one of only a few 17-year-olds selected for the U.S. Under-20 squad at the Concacaf Championship.

Christian McFarlane, once a winger, now thrives as a flying left-back. Regarded as one of the top prospects in MLS, he's already caught the attention of Manchester City’s scouting network. Born in England but raised in New York, McFarlane is eligible to represent the U.S., England, or Jamaica internationally. With impressive speed, intelligence, and defensive skills, he has already earned a spot in NYCFC’s first-team squad. “We often measure talent by how well players adapt to intensity and speed, and he’s done that impressively,” says NYCFC II head coach Matt Pilkington.

These two rising stars exemplify the depth of talent emerging from the U.S., showcasing a bright future for American soccer.

CONCACAF Introduce New Formats for Men's Qualifiers

The revamped Concacaf U-17 Men's Qualifiers will introduce a new, streamlined format designed to heighten the competition and bring clarity to the qualification process. The tournament will feature a single round of play, where participating Concacaf Member Associations are split into eight groups. The number of teams in each group will vary depending on the total number of participants.

During the group stage, each team will face off against the others in their group, with every match carrying high stakes. Only the winners of each group—eight teams in total—will secure their coveted spot in the FIFA U-17 World Cup, making every game critical in the race to qualify.

This new format will debut from February 7-16, 2025, marking an exciting evolution in youth football across the region. The official draw for the 2025 Concacaf Men's Under-17 Qualifiers will take place on October 24 at Concacaf Headquarters in Miami, FL. This draw will reveal the group assignments and set the stage for an exhilarating journey to the U-17 World Cup. With the stakes higher than ever, anticipation is building for this fresh chapter in the tournament’s history.

From ECNL to Training with Arsenal

Rogelio Garcia has been making headlines this week after training with English powerhouse Arsenal. Currently playing for the Colorado Rapids Academy, Garcia has honed most of his skills in the U.S., with a standout stint at OK Energy Youth, where he shone as one of the top players in the ECNL.

This season in MLS Next Pro, Garcia has featured in 17 games, contributing three goals and one assist in just 717 minutes. His playmaking abilities, particularly his knack for transitioning from midfield to attack, have caught the attention of European scouts.

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Internationally, Garcia has represented Mexico’s U-17 national team in three matches. While he was called up for the U.S. U-15 squad, he hasn’t seen action for the Stars and Stripes, suggesting his international future may lie with Mexico, which has shown greater faith in his potential on the field.