They say to be the best, you've got to beat the best.
The US national team will have an opportunity to do just that at the 2015 Under-17 World Cup in October. The draw, held on Thursday, placed the US in Group A, alongside host country Chile, defending U-17 world champions Nigeria and European side Croatia.
That draw appears tough, considering the track record of the respective sides at youth and senior levels in recent years, although two-time U-17 World Cup winners Mexico received arguably a tougher group, drawn with Australia, Argentina and Germany in Group C.
Other CONCACAF teams involved will be Honduras in Group D and Costa Rica in Group E.
The US open play on Oct. 17 against Nigeria in Santiago, and will then take on Croatia in Vina del Mar on Oct. 20 before wrapping up group play Oct. 23 against Chile, also in Vina de Mar.
The US' best finish at the U-17 World Cup came in 1999, when they finished fourth overall. The United States did not qualify for the last U-17 World Cup.
The full 2015 U-17 World Cup draw:
Group A: Chile, USA, Nigeria, Croatia
Group B: Brazil, South Korea, Guinea, England
Group C: Mexico, Australia, Argentina, Germany
Group D: Mali, Honduras, Ecuador, Belgium
Group E: North Korea, Costa Rica, South Africa, Russia
Group F: New Zealand, Syria, Paraguay, France
