Penn Fusion star makes U.S. roster for U-17 Women’s World Cup

Penn Fusion star Elayna Kocher is among the 21 players that will be representing the U.S. in the upcoming U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco from Oct. 17-Nov. 8.

Kocher, of Allentown, Pa., is on the 2008 Penn Fusion girls team that won the ECNL national title in 2024. Ellie is a senior at Parkland High School and is committed to Penn State.

The USA will open the tournament against Ecuador (3 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. local time) on Saturday, Oct. 18. The USA will then face China PR on Tuesday, Oct. 21 (Noon ET / 5 p.m. local) and finish Group C play against Norway on Friday, Oct. 24 (9 a.m. ET / 2 p.m. local). All three of the USA’s Group C games will be played at the Football Academy Mohammed VI (Pitch 3) in Sale, which is just outside of the capital of Rabat.

“For these players to be a part of the first 24-team U-17 World Cup is a big honor and to have so many talented players getting to showcase themselves on a world stage is a great step forward for the game,” U-17 head coach Katie Schoepfer said in a news release. “Our team is a united one that cares deeply about each other and representing their country. They are ready to play their best in this tournament, which is a vitally important part of their growth as players through our National Team programs. We sincerely appreciate the collaboration with the clubs and colleges to enable these players to have this experience.”

2025 U.S. Under-17 Women’s World Cup Team Roster by Position (Club; Hometown; U-17 Caps/Goals):

Goalkeepers (3): Ella McNeal (St. Louis Scott Gallagher; Manchester, Mo.; 0), Evan O’Steen (Florida State; Grapevine, Texas; 10), Peyton Trayer (Slammers FC HB Koge; Aliso Viejo, Calif.; 6)

Defenders (6): Meila Brewer (UCLA; Overland Park, Kan.; 5/0), Pearl Cecil (Virginia; Encinitas, Calif.; 10/1), Natalie Chudowsky (New York SC; Westport, Conn.; 5/1), Cali O’Neill (North Carolina Courage Academy; Durham, N.C.; 4/0), Olivia Robinson (STA; Scotch Plains, N.J.; 0/0), Sydney Schmidt (Sporting JAX; St. Johns, Fla.; 9/1)

Midfielders (6): Scottie Antonucci (Legends FC; Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.; 8/1), Riley Kennedy (UNC; Holly Springs, N.C.; 4/1), Jaiden Rodriguez (USC; San Diego, Calif.; 15/3), Chloe Sadler (La Roca FC; Hyde Park, Utah; 10/1), Anastasia Showler-Little (Players Development Academy; Boonton, N.J.; 3/0), Nyanya Touray (Florida State; Silver Spring, Md.; 8/4)

Forwards (6): Maddie DiMaria (St. Louis Scott Gallagher; Fenton, Mo.; 0/0), Micayla Johnson (Chicago Stars; Troy, Mich.; 13/7), Elayna Kocher (Penn Fusion SA; Allentown, Pa.; 5/0), Lauren Malsom (UNC; Marietta, Ga.; 5/1), KK Ream (Utah Royals FC; Herriman, Utah; 2/0), Mak Whitham (Gotham FC; Granite Bay, Calif.; 2/1