AL RAYYAN, QATAR – VCU men's soccer alum Gonzalo Segares has coached the U.S. Under-17 Men's National Team to a brilliant start in the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup, advancing to the round of 32 as the fourth-best ranked team.
 
On Monday, Segares' squad became just the second U.S. team ever, and the first since 1991, to earn a perfect 3-0-0 record in the group stage of the U-17 World Cup. The U.S. opened the competition with three wins, by scores of 1-0 against Burkina Faso, 2-1 over Tajikistan and 1-0 to Czechia in Al Rayyan, Qatar.
 
In its opening match of the knockout stage, the U.S. will face Morocco on Friday, Nov. 14 at 10:45 a.m. (EST), looking to secure the USA's third-ever knockout stage victory, per U.S. Soccer.
 
A proud VCU alum, Segares was a standout defender in his four-year career as a Ram, from 2001-04, and is regarded as one of the greatest to wear the Black & Gold. The Costa Rica native was two-time CAA Defender of the Year, three-time All-CAA honoree, All-American and Hermann Trophy finalist. In 2004, he became one of just two Rams in program history to earn multiple major conference awards.
 
Across his four years, Segares helped lift the Rams to the NCAA Tournament three times, reaching the Regional Finals in 2004, and secured three regular season CAA titles and two CAA Championship titles. He logged 84 games in his storied career, collecting 43 points by way of 16 goals and 11 assists.


 
A third-round pick by the Chicago Fire in 2005, Segares made history as the first Ram to be selected in the MLS SuperDraft. He continued his spectacular career into the professional ranks with a decade-long run with the Fire, earning Defender of the Year in 2007 and helping Chicago to 2006 U.S. Open Cup title.
 
On top of his championship resume, Segares is also no stranger to the world stage as he earned 19 caps with Costa Rica between 2007-11.
 
Segares enters his fifth year as head coach of the U.S. U-17 MNT after being elevated from his previous position coaching the U.S. Under-15 Boys National Team in October 2021. The former Ram has led the USA to a 6-0 record in 2025, outscoring opponents 35-1.
 
The U.S. versus Morocco round of 32 match will be streamed on Universo and Peacock on Friday morning. U.S. Soccer's preview of Friday's match is linked here.