In the early hours of Monday, as the U-17 U.S. men’s national team prepared for their World Cup qualifier, 16-year-old Chase Adams battled a stomach bug. Despite feeling unwell, he went on to score 10 goals, leading his team to a stunning 22-0 victory against the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Adams expressed that the team’s success was a collective effort, emphasizing, “The biggest messaging was, honestly, maintaining our standard all throughout the game, no matter the score.” This performance shattered the record for the largest victory margin in any U.S. national team’s World Cup qualifying match, surpassing a previous record set by the U-17 women’s team.

The match saw the U.S. team dominate from the start, with their first goal only two minutes into the game. The scoring ramped up quickly, leading to a halftime score of 14-0. Adams noted, “We could easily have just stopped…it’s best if we just continue playing how we want…”

Adams reflected on his performance and aspirations, saying, “I want to be able to create for my teammates…and not just be a scorer.” This record-setting achievement not only put him in the spotlight but also paved the way for his future in soccer, echoing the paths paved by his idols.

With their dominant win, the U-17 USMNT sits atop Group F in the Concacaf qualifiers, looking ahead to their next challenge against St. Kitts and Nevis.