South Charlotte Today

Charlotte FC Homegrown player Nimfasha Berchimas continues to make history at the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Indonesia. On Wednesday morning, he scored a game-winning goal—his third in two matches—against Burkina Faso, securing the US a place in the Round of 16.

Berchimas had already drawn attention as the youngest player selected to represent the USA at the FIFA U-17 World Cup since Freddy Adu in 2003. He then became the youngest player to score multiple goals at a U-17 World Cup since Adu with a brace in the opening match. Now, he is just one goal away from tying Adu’s goal tally at a U-17 World Cup (four).

Already leading 1-0 over Burkina Faso deep into first-half stoppage time, Berchimas doubled the USA’s advantage at Jakarta International Stadium. Left back Peyton Miller delivered a cross on the ground, finding Berchimas on the back post to fire home.

Burkina Faso scored late in the 89th minute, but Berchimas’s goal stood as the game-winner in a 2-1 victory.

Berchimas, a High Point, N.C. native, was also instrumental in his side’s opening goal in the 45th minute. He delivered an opening pass to Paulo Rudisill, putting the midfielder into position to square across goal for a Keyrol Figueroa tap-in.

Now, Berchimas and the rest of the USA U-17 squad will face France in their final group stage game on Saturday at 7 a.m. ET (FS1, Telemundo). Both teams have perfect 2-0 records, making this match crucial for determining first place in Group E.

The best finish by a US team at the U-17 World Cup was fourth place in 1999; their last extended knockout round run occurred in 2017.