Five Things to Know About the England U-17 MNT

The U.S. Under-17 Men’s National Team continues play at the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup against Group F winners England in the Quarterfinals on Saturday, Oct. 21. Kickoff at Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa is set for 10:30 a.m. ET, and the game will be televised on FS2 and Telemundo. 

Here are five things to know about England:

ENGLAND UNDEFEATED IN 2017 U-17 WORLD CUP

Having won 11 straight matches before falling in penalties to Spain in the UEFA U-17 Championship, England stormed through the opening stage of the tournament, racking up 11 goals – good for second most of any team – while only surrendering two as they went undefeated in Group F. 

• READ MORE: Five Things to Know About the USA's Run at the U-17 World Cup

Two 4-0 shutouts of Chile and Iraq bookended a 3-2 win against Mexico, putting the Three Lions into the knockout rounds with a meeting against Japan. There, both sides created good looks at goal with no joy at the end, sending the 0-0 draw straight into penalties following regulation. England persevered, winning 5-3 in the shootout and setting the stage for Saturday’s tilt against the USA.

England U-17 MNT’s World Cup Results
Group Stage
Oct. 8	4-0 W vs. Chile
Oct. 11	3-2 W vs. Mexico
Oct. 14	4-0 W vs. Iraq
Knockout Stage
Oct. 17	0-0 D vs. Japan (5-3 in penalties)

U-17 WORLD CUP HISTORY

The England squad is competing in its fourth U-17 World Cup, with all their appearances taking place in the last decade. They have now reached the quarterfinals in three of those events, which is the farthest they have ever advanced. They only missed out on the knockout stage in 2015 in Chile. Current senior team luminaries Danny Welbeck (Arsenal) and Raheem Sterling (Manchester City) cut their teeth internationally in this tournament.

THE ROSTER

England’s 21-man roster remains largely intact from their runner up finish in the qualifying tournament. The squad is littered with players from the top teams in the Premier League. Current league leaders Manchester City sent a trio of players, led by goalkeeper Curtis Anderson, who was the hero of the penalty shootout against Japan, and U-17 captain Joel Latibeaudiere. Defending champion Chelsea contributed the most of any team, delivering four to India including former England U-16 captain Jonathan Panzo. Seven different goal scorers have put their name on the scoresheet during the tournament, but winger Jadon Sancho, who leads the team with three goals in India was recalled to Borussia Dortmund following the group stage. 

England U-17 MNT Roster by Position (Club, Club Country)
GOALKEEPERS (3): Curtis Anderson (Manchester City), Josef Bursik (Stoke City), William Crellin (Fleetwood Town)
DEFENDERS (6): Timothy Eyoma (Tottenham Hotspur), Lewis Gibson (Everton), Marc Guéhi (Chelsea), Jonathan Panzo (Chelsea), Joel Latibeaudiere (Manchester City), Steven Sessegnon (Fulham)
MIDFIELDERS (10): George McEachran (Chelsea), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Tashan Oakley-Boothe (Tottenham Hotspur), Angel Gomes (Manchester United), Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund/GER)*, Nya Kirby (Crystal Palace), Callum Hudson-Odoi (Chelsea), Emile Smith-Rowe (Arsenal), Morgan Gibbs-White (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea)
FORWARDS (2): Rhian Brewster (Liverpool), Danny Loader (Reading)

* Jadon Sancho recalled to Borussia Dortmund following Group Stage

THE MANAGER

The Three Lions are managed by Steve Cooper, who has held the role since 2015. Having managed the Liverpool Academy, he became the England U-16 coach in 2014. A native of Wales, Cooper’s team has proven adept in the attack, netting 33 times through 12 matches in qualifying en route to advancing to this year’s U-17 World Cup.

• READ MORE: USA Looks for World Cup Semifinal Berth vs. England

“We’ve qualified for the World Cup in India, which was one of the objectives of the tournament,” Cooper said after his side’s U-17 UEFA EURO final defeat to Spain. “We’ll continue with our work, everything that we do with the national teams is with the long term in mind.” 

HOW THEY GOT HERE

England qualified for the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup after finishing second at the 2017 UEFA Under-17 Championship to claim one of four spots from the region. Held in Croatia in May of this year, England were drawn into Group D where they went on a rampage, winning all three matches by a combined score of 10-1. Officially booking their place in India with a 1-0 win against the Republic of Ireland in the quarterfinals, the Three Lions defeated Turkey 2-1 in the semifinals before falling to Spain in penalties in the championship match.

England U-17 MNT’s UEFA Qualifying Results
Group Stage
May 4	3-0 W vs. Norway
May 7	4-0 W vs. Ukraine
May 10	3-0 W vs. Netherlands
Knockout Stage
May 13	1-0 W vs. Rep. of Ireland
May 16	2-1 W vs. Turkey
May 19	1-1 D vs. Spain (1-4 in penalties)