RD Welch

USWNT Rival Watch: Brazil’s Kirin Challenge Cup Roster

Last Thursday, Brazilian Women’s National Team head coach Jorge Barcellos announced the team’s preliminary roster for an upcoming friendly versus Canada (March 24th, at Gillette Stadium outside of Boston) and the Women’s Kirin Challenge Cup in April. Twenty-one players were called, including several overseas-based players such as Marta, Christiane, and Fabiana, who did not participate in the squad’s prior two training camps this calendar year.

Update, 18-Mar-2012: Upon further research, I can fairly confidently confirm all the player names for the roster, thanks to the CBF releasing a player pool list the day after I posted this, originally.

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USWNT Neighbor Watch: Mexico, February 2012 (Catch-Up)

In mid-February, the Mexican Women’s National Team traveled to China for the Yongchuan International Women’s Tournament where they played matches against three opponents: China, North Korea, and South Korea, and lost all three matches. Continue reading “USWNT Neighbor Watch: Mexico, February 2012 (Catch-Up)”

CONCACAF WU-20 Championship: The USA Win, But… (Quick Recap)

…the team has a lot of work to do between now and August.

The USA’s Under-20 Women’s National Team won 2:1 over Canada’s U-20 WNT in the 2012 CONCACAF Women’s Under-20 Championship final, but had to overcome an early Canada goal scored via an American error. Two late goals in the final eleven minutes gave the USA a comeback lead.

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CONCACAF WU-20: USA-Canada Championship Final Pre-Match Notes

In advance of tonight’s CONCACAF Women’s Under-20 Championship final between the USA and Canada, here are some notes on Canada’s roster, as well as predicted line-ups for both teams, plus tables of minutes played for both rosters.

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USA-Canada: Past Women’s U-20/U-19 Championship Encounters

This Sunday, at 9:00 p.m. Eastern (EDT), the USA and Canada will meet once again to decide a Women’s U-20/U-19 Championship. The first time was in 2002, at the final of the inaugural FIFA Under-19 Women’s World Championship. The two sides have also met in the 2004 CONCACAF Women’s Under-19 Championship final as well as the 2006 and 2008 Under-20 editions of that Championship. Continue reading “USA-Canada: Past Women’s U-20/U-19 Championship Encounters”

CONCACAF WU-20: Semifinals Recap (USA-Mexico, Canada-Panama)

Friday night, the Under-20 Women’s National Teams for the United States and Canada qualified for the 2012 Women’s Under-20 World Cup in Japan by winning their semifinals at the CONCACAF Women’s Under-20 Championship in Panama. In the first semifinal, the USA defeated an under-powered Mexico side by 4 goals to nil. Then, in the second match, Canada defeated host Panama by 6 goals to nil, with five of Canada’s goals coming in the second half.

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U-17 USWNT: La Manga Recap with Playing Time Table

The USA’s Under-17 Women’s National Team completed their three matches in the Ten Nations U-19 Tournament at La Manga, Spain with a 2-0 defeat of the Netherlands’ U-19 WNT on Thursday. In the prior matches, the USA defeated France’s U-19 WNT 2-0 and tied England’s U-19 WNT, but lost on penalties, 4-3 (no extra time).

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CONCACAF WU-20: Mexico’s Roster, Minutes Played (Group Stage)

In advance of today’s USA-Mexico clash at the CONCACAF Women’s Under-20 Championship, here’s a quick compilation of minutes played by Mexico’s roster, so far. Compared to Swanson’s broad use of his roster, Roberto Medina has primarily used the same groups of starters and substitutes in Mexico’s group matches. Continue reading “CONCACAF WU-20: Mexico’s Roster, Minutes Played (Group Stage)”

2012 CONCACAF WU-20: USA-Mexico Semifinal Preview

This Friday, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern, the USA’s Under-20 Women’s National Team will take on Mexico’s U-20 WNT in the first semifinal match of the 2012 CONCACAF Women’s Under-20 Championship. At stake: A qualification spot for the 2012 Women’s Under-20 World Cup in Japan. However, this is not an all-or-nothing affair. The loser of the match will play the loser of the other semifinal, either Canada or Panama, in a repechage match on Sunday, with the winner of that game claiming the final ticket to Japan. Continue reading “2012 CONCACAF WU-20: USA-Mexico Semifinal Preview”

2012 CONCACAF Women’s Under-20 Championship: Knock-Out Stage Preview

On Friday, the four remaining teams in the 2012 CONCACAF Women’s Under-20 Championship will face off in a semifinal doubleheader: First, the USA will take on Mexico in the first semifinal, while Canada will play the hosts, Panama, in the second match. The winners of these semifinals will qualify for the 2012 Women’s Under-20 World Cup in Japan. The two losing teams will still have a chance to qualify, as three spots are available, and will play each other in the third-place match on Sunday. The two semifinal winners will play each other in the Championship final, also on Sunday, with only pride and the avoidance of injuries at stake. Continue reading “2012 CONCACAF Women’s Under-20 Championship: Knock-Out Stage Preview”