Tag: U20 USWNT

U-23 USWNT: Matt Potter Named Head Coach; B.J. Snow Leaves U.S. Soccer

On Thursday, January 9th, U.S. Soccer announced a pair of related staffing changes:

  1. The hiring of former University of Oklahoma women’s soccer head coach Matt Potter as the new head coach of the Under-23 United States Women’s National Team, and
  2. The departure of B.J. Snow, who most recently helmed the U-23 USWNT while also serving as the Director of Talent Identification for the USWNT.

These changes follow the recent hiring of Laura Harvey as the new head coach of the U-20 USWNT after December’s surprise departure of Mark Carr, coincidentally, for the vacancy created by Potter back in November (SoonerSports.com).

Continue reading “U-23 USWNT: Matt Potter Named Head Coach; B.J. Snow Leaves U.S. Soccer”

U-20 USWNT: First Camp Roster Under Laura Harvey Announced

Update (14-Jan-2020):  Stanford’s Katie Meyer is the fourth goalkeeper called-in for this camp.  U.S. Soccer’s original write-up for this roster only named three goalkeepers and noted that Harvey might add a fourth.  Meyer was a regular call-up during the 2016 U-16 and U-17 cycles (attending 6 and 7 camps, respectively), but has only had a few call-ups since the start of 2017.

Late Wednesday, U.S. Soccer released the roster for the Under-20 United States Women’s National Team’s last full camp before CONCACAF qualifying for this year’s FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup.  This camp, which runs from January 9th to the 20th, will be the first camp helmed by recently installed head coach Laura Harvey.  Of the 25 players called in so far, at least 18 attended the Nike Friendlies camp in December, and just one of the players participated in December’s senior USWNT identification camp:  Brianna Pinto of North Carolina.

External Link: New U-20 WNT Head Coach Laura Harvey Calls 25 Players To Pre-Qualifying Training Camp In Florida (U.S. Soccer)

Stanford’s Sophia Smith, another attendee of the USWNT identification camp, is once again unavailable due to a senior USWNT call-up.  Curiously, the other two U-20 call-ups of December’s identification camp are absent:   Center backs Naomi Girma of Stanford and Maycee Bell of North Carolina. Girma was withdrawn from the identification camp for what seemed to have been a minor injury. Continue reading “U-20 USWNT: First Camp Roster Under Laura Harvey Announced”

U-20 USWNT: Laura Harvey Hired as Head Coach

On Monday, following last month’s surprise departure of Mark Carr for a head coaching position at the University of Oklahoma, U.S. Soccer announced that now-former Utah Royals FC head coach Laura Harvey will be leading the Under-20 United States Women’s National Team.

Harvey’s first duties include overseeing the current U-20 USWNT camp, which runs from January 9th to the 20th.  After that, her first international matches as head coach will be the CONCACAF Women’s Under-20 Championship in February, which are the qualifiers for this year’s FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup.  Harvey’s duties will also include “manag[ing] the integration and programming of the U-18 and U-19 [Women] National Teams.” Continue reading “U-20 USWNT: Laura Harvey Hired as Head Coach”

U-20 USWNT: 2019 Nike International Friendlies – Match Day 3 Recap

On Friday, the Under-20 United States Women’s National Team, in split squads, played their final matches of the 2019 Nike International Friendlies, with the “Red” Team earning a nil-nil draw against Brazil, while the “Blue” Team, which primarily consisted of the available first-choice players, capped off the event with a 2:1 victory over France.  The performances of both USA teams were much improved from their losses on Wednesday.

In this article:

  • Embedded full-match replay videos (YouTube)
  • Highlights of the USA’s goals
  • USA’s starting line-ups (with shirt numbers)
  • USA’s starting formations
  • USA’s substitutions
  • Detailed scoring summaries

Continue reading “U-20 USWNT: 2019 Nike International Friendlies – Match Day 3 Recap”

U-20 USWNT: 2019 Nike International Friendlies – Match Day 2 Recap

On Wednesday, the Under-20 United States Women’s National Team, in split squads, faced the U-20 WNTs of France and Brazil as part of the 2019 Nike International Friendlies, losing both matches.

In this article:

  • Embedded full-match replay videos (YouTube)
  • Highlights of the USA’s goals
  • USA’s starting line-ups (with shirt numbers)
  • USA’s starting formations (corrected)
  • USA’s substitutions (updated)
  • Detailed scoring summaries

Continue reading “U-20 USWNT: 2019 Nike International Friendlies – Match Day 2 Recap”

USWNT: The 2019 Identification Camp – Additions and Subtractions

Update #3 (11-Dec-2019):  Center back Kaleigh Riehl was added to the roster on Tuesday.  For more about her, see the next article.

On Monday, U.S. Soccer announced that two players from the Washington State women’s soccer team, Morgan Weaver and Makamae Gomera-Stevens, have been added to the roster for this week’s United States Women’s National Team identification camp, while three players, Danielle Colaprico of the Chicago Red Stars, plus Madison Haley and Naomi Girma of Stanford, all due to unspecified injuries.

These changes are in addition to the previously announced replacement of North Carolina’s Emily Fox, due to an ACL injury, by Jaelin Howell of Florida State.

Summary capsules for the three additional players – Howell, Weaver, and Gomera-Stevens – are included at the bottom of this article. Continue reading “USWNT: The 2019 Identification Camp – Additions and Subtractions”

U-20 USWNT: Roster For 2019 Nike International Friendlies – A Detailed Look

Update (10-Dec-2019):  Washington State sophomore center back Mykiaa Minniss has been added to the roster .  The 5’11 sophomore scored the golden goal over South Carolina to send WSU to the College Cup. (WSUCougars.com)

Update (12-Dec-2019):  South Carolina signee Catherine Barry (profile) is also on the roster.  She was a substitute in Wednesday’s “Red” Team match versus France.

Currently underway in Florida is the final camp of 2019 for the Under-20 United States Women’s National Team, which runs from December 8th to the 14th.  Head coach Mark Carr has called in 31 players, who will be split into two teams to play international friendlies against the U-20 WNTs of France and Brazil.  Of the 31 players, 18 are current college players, with several key players returning for their first camp since the start of the NCAA season.

External Link:  U.S. Soccer Roster Release for 2019 Nike International Friendlies

With just one more camp left before the 2020 CONCACAF Women’s Under-20 Championship, these friendlies are one of Carr’s last chances to evaluate players for the 20-spot qualifying roster.

Four top U-20 players are not available, as they have been called into the overlapping USWNT identification camp:  Forward Sophia Smith, midfielder Brianna Pinto, plus defenders Naomi Girma and Maycee Bell.  Absent injuries or full-time promotions to the senior USWNT, these four players should be on the U-20 qualifying roster.

Update (09-Dec-2019):  Naomi Girma will not attend this camp due to an injury suffered during the College Cup.  Given that she took one of the spot kicks during the penalty shoot-out, the injury is likely to be minor. (U.S. Soccer)

Continue reading “U-20 USWNT: Roster For 2019 Nike International Friendlies – A Detailed Look”

USWNT: December 2019 Identification Camp Roster Announced (Overview)

Update  #1 (09-Dec-2019):  Emily Fox has been replaced by Florida State junior Jaelin Howell, who is primarily a holding midfielder. (U.S. Soccer)  Also, per Jenn Hildreth (during the College Cup final broadcast), Catarina Macario had been invited to this camp, but declined due to a family commitment in Brazil.  The camp also overlaps with finals week at Stanford. (stanford.edu)

Update #2 (09-Dec-2019):  Naomi Girma, Madison Haley, and Danielle Colaprico will not attend due to injuries.  Two NCAA players, both from Washington State, forward Morgan Weaver and midfielder Makamae Gomera-Stevens, have been added to the roster. (U.S. Soccer)

Update #3 (11-Dec-2019):  Center back Kaleigh Riehl was added to the roster on Tuesday.  For more about her, go here.

Last Wednesday, U.S. Soccer officially announced that the United States Women’s National Team will hold an identification camp during the second week of December (Monday, the 9th, to Saturday, the 14th) in Bradenton, Florida.  New head coach Vlatko Andonovski has called in 24 players, including 10 current collegiate players.  Of the remaining 14 players, all but one, UCLA alumna Hailie Mace, played in the NWSL during the 2019 season.  Of the ten collegiate players, four are age-eligible for next year’s Under-20 Women’s World Cup:  Maycee Bell, Naomi Girma, Brianna Pinto, and Sophia Smith.

External Link:  Andonovski Names 24-Player Roster For U.S. Women’s National Team December Identification Training Camp In Florida (USSoccer.com)

Among the 24 players, 14 players have attended at least one prior USWNT camp, while 7 of those players have at least one senior USWNT cap.  The most capped player called up is the Houston Dash’s Kristie Mewis, who has 15 senior USWNT caps and 1 senior USWNT goal, with her last cap coming back in March 2014.

Not yet Now confirmed by U.S. Soccer:  North Carolina junior Emily Fox is apparently a scratch due to an ACL tear suffered during UNC’s NCAA Championship quarterfinal match versus USC .

Continue reading “USWNT: December 2019 Identification Camp Roster Announced (Overview)”

2020 CONCACAF Women’s Under-20 Championship: Host, Dates, and Knock-Out Bracket Confirmed

See CONCACAF Women’s Under-20 Championship: Costa Rica and Panama Out, Bermuda and Barbados In for current schedule and bracket details.

Update (31-Jan-2020):  THIS ARTICLE IS NO LONGER CURRENT FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS:  

  • THE DATES FOR THIS TOURNAMENT HAVE BEEN CHANGED.  (They are now February 22nd to March 8th).
  • COSTA RICA AND PANAMA ARE NOT PARTICIPATING IN THIS TOURNAMENT.  THEIR GROUPS AND THE KNOCK-OUT BRACKET HAVE BEEN ALTERED.

Update (20-Dec-2019):  FIFA has confirmed that Costa Rica and Panama will be joint hosts for this cycle’s FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup, which will be held in August 2020 (FIFA.com). Not yet confirmed is how this will affect qualifying in CONCACAF.  Absent exceptional circumstances, the most likely result is that the number of open qualification slots will be reduced to 2, as Costa Rica and Panama will be given the host slot plus 1 slot from CONCACAF’s allocation.  Another uncertain wrinkle is whether Costa Rica and Panama will be participating in this CONCACAF Women’s Under-20 Championship, as they are currently assigned to Group D (with Mexico) and Group F (with Haiti), respectively.  Given the timing of this announcement, right before the end-of-the-year holiday break, it is possible that these qualifying matters may not be resolved until January 2020.

On Tuesday, CONCACAF confirmed that the Dominican Republic will be hosting the confederation’s final qualifying tournament for next year’s FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup. (CONCACAF.com)  As things currently stand, CONCACAF has three open qualifying slots, though that could change depending on who actually ends up hosting the U-20 WWC in 2020.

The qualifying tournament, which is officially known as the CONCACAF Women’s Under-20 Championship, is scheduled for February 15, 2020 to March 1, 2020, and in a departure from past tournaments, will feature twenty teams instead of the usual eight.  The tournament will have a Group Stage involving the top sixteen U-20 women’s national teams, based on historical rankings (CONCACAF.com).  Those sixteen teams will be divided into four standard round-robin groups of four.  The top three teams in each group will advance to the knock-out stage.

The knock-out stage will start with a Round of Sixteen that includes the twelve advancing teams from the Group Stage, plus four teams from a preliminary qualifying stage for teams outside the top sixteen.  (Wikipedia has a decent summary article on the preliminary qualifying stage.)  After the Round of Sixteen, the knockout round will proceed normally, with a Final to determine the champion and a Third Place match.
Continue reading “2020 CONCACAF Women’s Under-20 Championship: Host, Dates, and Knock-Out Bracket Confirmed”

U-20 USWNT: 2020 Cycle Camp Attendance Tables (as of November 2019)

With just two full camps left before next year’s CONCACAF Women’s Under-20 Championship, the actual composition of the Under-20 United States Women’s National Team remains significantly nebulous, as a number of highly regarded players have only been in one or two U-20 camps this cycle. Continue reading “U-20 USWNT: 2020 Cycle Camp Attendance Tables (as of November 2019)”