For the fourth time out of four tries, the USA are champions of the Concacaf Girls’ Under-15 Championship. In this year’s edition of the tournament, the U.S. Under-15 Women’s Youth National Team defeated Mexico 3-nil in the championship match after advancing from the semifinals by besting Canada 4:2 in a penalty shootout following a 1:1 draw in regulation.
USA midfielder Caroline Swann was named the Best Player of the tournament, while forward Carolina Reyna was the high scorer, with 6 goals.
Read on for recaps of the championship match, the USA’s semifinal against Canada, and the USA’s final group match, a 13-nil victory over Haiti. (The USA’s first two group stage matches, a 11-nill win over Jamaica and a 3-nil victory over the host Costa Rica, were recapped in an early post.)
(For an analysis of playing time, starting line-ups, and substitutions, see …)
Group Match #3: USA 13, Haiti 0
USA’s Line-Up: 1-Anne Fowler (12-Ella McNeal, 36); 2-Alex Han,15-Chloe Miller, 5-Elena Vera (18-Meila Brewer, 36); 13-Bristol Kersh (3-Taylor Morrell, 57); 6-Kendall Conway (10-Deus Stanislaus, 46), 4-Loradana Paletta, 8-Mia Corona (16-Caroline Swann, 36); 7-Maddie DiMaria (14-Carolina Reyna, 57), 17-Amari Manning (9-Mak Whitham, 36), 11-KK Ream
Goal-Scoring Summary:
- Mia Corona (1′)
- Kendall Conway (2′, 17′, 35′)
- Amari Manning (31′)
- Maddie DiMaria (38′)
- Loradana Paletta (49′)
- Caroline Swann (54′ PK)
- Bristol Kersh (55′)
- Own Goal (62′)
- Own Goal (65′)
- Carolina Reyna (70′)
- Mak Whitham (70’+2)
For the USA, every goal but one was assisted (excluding the penalty kick and own goals). That was Paletta’s 49th minute goal.
Assists:
- Bristol Kersh (1′, 17′)
- KK Ream (2′)
- Alex Han (31′)
- Maddie DiMaria (35′)
- Mak Whitham (38′, 55′)
- Taylor Morrell (70′)
- Carolina Reyna (70’+2)
Further Reading: Press release for Haiti match
Semifinal: USA 1 (4), Canada 1 (2) PSO
How Canada Got Here: Canada finished 2nd in Group B, behind Mexico. In its group matches, Canada defeated Puerto Rico and El Salvador, both by 1-nil scorelines. Going into the third match of the group, both Canada and Mexico were assured to advance, as both sat on 6 points. Mexico won that match 3-1 (Canada Soccer match summary).
Notables: Canada had just 3 shots, though all were on goal.
Quick Thoughts: Canada was the USA’s toughest opponent of the tournament. They were the only team that was able to have sustained possession against the USA. Against Canada, the USA had a tournament low of 9 shots. Canada was also the only opponent to find the back of the net against the USA.
USA’s Line-Up: 1-Anne Fowler (12-Ella McNeal, 36); 13-Bristol Kersh (2-Alex Han, 48), 18-Meila Brewer, 5-Elena Vera (15-Chloe Miller, 36); 3-Taylor Morrell, 8-Mia Corona (6-Kendall Conway, 36), 16-Caroline Swann (Capt.) (4-Loradana Paletta, 36), 10-Deus Stanislaus; 14-Carolina Reyna (7-Maddie DiMaria, 48), 9-Mak Whitham, 17-Amari Manning (11-KK Ream, 36)
Goal-Scoring Summary: Mak Whitham had the USA’s only goal (35’+1, unassisted). Canada, through Christ-Mayron Blau, equalized three minutes into the second-half (38′).
The Penalty Shootout: Canada did not convert its first two spot kicks, while the USA converted all four kicks that it took. The USA’s kickers were Maddie DiMaria, KK Ream, Meila Brewer, and Deus Stanislaus.
Further Reading: U.S. Soccer press release for Canada match
Championship Match: USA 3, Mexico 0
How Mexico Got Here: Mexico won all three of its group matches, defeating El Salvador 2-nil, Puerto Rico 3-nil, and Canada 3:1. In its semifinal, Mexico faced Group A runner-up Costa Rica. After a goal-less first-half, Mexico scored in the opening minute of the second-half. But Costa Rica equalized two minutes later and then had a 2:1 lead after converting a penalty kick. Four minutes later, Mexico tied it up at 2:2. The match looked to be headed to a penalty shootout, but Mexico scored on a header from a 70th minute free kick. (FMF match write-up, unofficial highlights) (Notable: Costa Rica would also trouble Canada in the third-place match, netting an equalizer in the 25th minute, but ultimately losing 1:2 after surrending an early second-half goal. Canada Soccer match summary)
Notables: Mexico made just three substitutions in the match. The USA used all available substitutes, as it had done so in all of its previous matches.
Quick Thoughts: Although the USA’s insurance goals came late in the match, the scoreline is a fair reflection of the USA’s superiority. Unlike Canada, Mexico was significantly below the USA in their ability to maintain possession and force turnovers.
USA’s Line-Up: 12-Ella McNeal (1-Anne Fowler, 36); 2-Alex Han (13-Bristol Kersh), 18-Meila Brewer, 5-Elena Vera, 3-Taylor Morrell (15-Chloe Miller, 36); 4-Loradana Paletta (10-Deus Stanislaus, 46), 16-Caroline Swann (Capt.), 8-Mia Corona (6-Kendall Conway, 36); 7-Maddie DiMaria (11-KK Ream, 60), 17-Amari Manning (9-Mak Whitham, 36), 14-Carolina Reyna
Goal-Scoring Summary:
- Mia Corona (14′)
- Mak Whitham (65′)
- Meila Brewer (70’+6)
Assists: Mak Whitham’s goal was the only one with an assist, which was provided by Kendall Conway.
Further Reading and Viewing: U.S. Soccer press release for Mexico match, unofficial highlights
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