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”

U-20 USWNT: CONCACAF Championship Playing Time (Group Stage)

After watching the first three USA group stage matches in the 2012 CONCACAF Women’s Under-20 Championship, where head coach Steve Swanson has generously employed his full roster, I was curious to see how his use of his roster compares to past U-20 USWNT coaches in previous CONCACAF Championships.

As it turns out, Swanson’s usage of his roster is the most liberal since  since 2006, when Tim Schulz (edit: it’s Schulz, no “t”) helmed the U-20 USWNT. Compared to the past two head coaches, Jill Ellis (2010) and Tony DiCicco (2008), Swanson has rested more starters: 8 starters from the first match did not play in either the second or third match, compared to 4 or less for Ellis (3) and DiCicco (4). Swanson has also used more players:  all 20 on the roster, in fact, compared to 18 out of 20 for both Ellis and DiCicco. In 2006, Schulz also rested 8 first match starters during the group stage and used his entire roster.

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U-23 USWNT: La Manga 2012 Playing Time

The USA’s Under-23 Women’s National Team competed in a mini-tournament at La Manga, Spain from February 26th to March 1st versus their U-23 cohorts from Sweden, England, and Norway. The USA defeated Sweden 2-0, lost to England 2-1, and defeated Norway 5-0. Goalkeeper Bianca Henninger was injured during the first-half of the opening match and did not play the rest of the tournament. Continue reading “U-23 USWNT: La Manga 2012 Playing Time”

CONCACAF WU-20: Group B Preview (U-20 USWNT)

The USA’s Under-20 Women’s National Team formally kicks off its quest for the 2012 FIFA Women’s Under-20 World Cup, today, in Panama, as it takes on Guatemala. The U-20 USWNT’s other two group stage opponents, Cuba and Panama, also play today. Continue reading “CONCACAF WU-20: Group B Preview (U-20 USWNT)”

CONCACAF Women’s Under-20 Championship: Group A Preview

Assuming the U-20 USWNT make it out of Group B in the CONCACAF Women’s Under-20 Championship (which is a very safe assumption), Group A will contain at least one knock-out stage opponent, and probably two. The two most likely knock-out stage opponents from Group A are Canada and Mexico. The other two teams in the group are Haiti and Jamaica. Continue reading “CONCACAF Women’s Under-20 Championship: Group A Preview”

Canada U-20 WNT Final Roster (CONCACAF 2012)

On Wednesday (correction: not Monday), Canada announced their final 20-player roster for the 2012 CONCACAF Women’s Under-20 Championship. The U-20 team had been in camp for two weeks with 22 players (canadasoccer.com). Eighteen of the twenty-two players attend American universities. I have listed the final roster below, adding hyperlinks to the players’ team bios, where available. The two players cut from the roster are Rachelle Beanlands ( University of Maryland) and Erin Uchacz (Oregon State).
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