U-20 WWC: Match Day 5 – Mexico Knocks-Out New Zealand, Brazil Falls to South Korea

The final day of group play for Groups A and B in the 2012 Under-20 Women’s World Cup saw Mexico crush the hearts of the Junior Football Ferns as El Tri scored four second-half goals and Brazil fall to South Korea after scoring a potential go-ahead goal that was disallowed on a disputable offside call. In the other matches, Japan and Nigeria each had relatively easy 4:0 wins over Switzerland and Italy, respectively.

With all matches played in Groups A and B, Japan and Mexico advance out of Group A, while Nigeria and South Korea advance from Group B. Thus, the quarterfinal match-ups for August 30th will be Nigeria vs. Mexico (3:00 a.m. EDT) and Japan vs. South Korea (6:30 a.m. EDT). Both matches will be shown live on ESPNU. Continue reading “U-20 WWC: Match Day 5 – Mexico Knocks-Out New Zealand, Brazil Falls to South Korea”

U-20 USWNT: On the Draw with China

The draw between the United States Under-20 Women’s National Team and China’s U-20 WNT in their second group match of the 2012 Under-20 Women’s World Cup is a disappointing result for the USA squad, but far from a disaster. Continue reading “U-20 USWNT: On the Draw with China”

U-20 WWC: Mexico vs. New Zealand (Group A) Will Be Shown on ESPNU

A quick heads-up for those not on Twitter… According to the WatchESPN site, Sunday morning’s schedule for the Under-20 Women’s World Cup on ESPNU has been changed as Mexico vs. New Zealand will be the Group A match televised, instead of Japan vs. Switzerland.

Sunday’s Schedule:
3:10 AM EDT        Korea Republic vs. Brazil (Group B)
6:10 AM EDT        Mexico vs. New Zealand (Group A)

Barring a miraculous Switzerland blowout of Japan, Mexico must win against New Zealand, while the Junior Football Ferns only need a draw to ensure advancement.

In the Group B match, Brazil requires a win, but South Korea can advance with just a draw, although a win for the Koreans would guarantee advancement to the quarterfinals.

U-20 WWC: Match Day 4 – USA Only Gets a Draw, Germany Ekes Out a Win, Canada Falls to Norway

On the fourth day of group play at the 2012 Under-20 Women’s World Cup, two of the favorites, the United States and Germany each struggled against teams easily dispatched by the other squad in the opening matches of Group D.  The USA,  in a lackluster performance, could only manage a 1:1 draw with China, while Germany needed a stoppage time goal from late sub Lina Magull to pull out a 1:0 win over Ghana. In Group C action, Norway edged out Canada 2:1, while North Korea pummeled Argentina 9:0. Continue reading “U-20 WWC: Match Day 4 – USA Only Gets a Draw, Germany Ekes Out a Win, Canada Falls to Norway”

U-20 WWC: Match Day 3 – Japan and New Zealand Tie, Brazil Gets Another Draw

On Wednesday, New Zealand created the biggest headline so far from this year’s Under-20 Women’s World Cup when they got out to an early 2:0 lead and held host Japan to an eventual draw.Also in Group A, Mexico pulled out a 2:0 win over Switzerland, keeping their hopes alive, while snuffing out Switzerland’s. Meanwhile, in Group B, under-performing Brazil earned its second draw of the tournament via another late goal against Nigeria, and South Korea got their first points via a 2:0 win over Italy. Continue reading “U-20 WWC: Match Day 3 – Japan and New Zealand Tie, Brazil Gets Another Draw”

U-20 WWC: Match Day 2 – USA and Germany Tied Atop Group D, Canada With An Easy Win

Action continued in the 2012 Under-20 Women’s World Cup on Monday, with favorites United States and Germany both posting 4:0 wins, while Canada cruised and then coasted over Argentina and North Korea defeated Norway. With the USA’s and Germany’s equivalent wins, the two teams are even in the Group D table. Continue reading “U-20 WWC: Match Day 2 – USA and Germany Tied Atop Group D, Canada With An Easy Win”

U-17 USWNT: Obligatory Follow-Up Article on the August Camp Roster

[Edit, 28-Aug-2012: The official reason for Robinson not being at this camp is that she has a medical issue. (TopDrawerSoccer.com)]

The official roster for the United States Under-17 Women’s National Team’s August camp (USSoccer.com) was released a couple hours after an earlier post here that listed an unofficial roster based on a published gallery of team photo portraits. All twenty-three players listed in the earlier post are on the official roster, with no additional players named. Not on the roster is midfielder Sarah Robinson who had apparently pulled out of the team in order to compete with her club at USYSA national championships.

During the camp, the U-17s will play their age cohorts from China in two friendlies: the first on Wednesday, August 22nd and the second, on Saturday, August 25th. Both matches will played at The Home Depot Center in Carson, California, and will kick-off at 3:00 p.m. local time. The friendlies are open to the public, with free admission.

After the camp, which runs until Sunday, August 26th, head coach Albertin Montoya will name the 21-player roster for the U-17 Women’s World Cup. So, the roster could be announced as early as that day, but more likely, as early as Monday the 27th. Continue reading “U-17 USWNT: Obligatory Follow-Up Article on the August Camp Roster”

U-17 USWNT: That August Camp? It’s Already Started.

The United States Under-17 Women’s National Team has gathered at The Home Depot Center for its final domestic training camp before the Under-17 Women’s World Cup in Azerbaijan, which kicks off on September 22nd. A news item has yet to be posted on USSoccer.com, but there is photographic confirmation of this camp in the form of a photo gallery of player and staff portraits at ISIPhoto’s website. ISIPhoto is the primary professional photography service used by U.S. Soccer. The list of players whose portraits were taken is included after the jump.

[Note: When an official roster is released, there will be a follow-up article.] Continue reading “U-17 USWNT: That August Camp? It’s Already Started.”

U-20 WWC: Quick Thoughts on the USA’s 4:0 Win Over Ghana

The United States Under-20 Women’s National Team got off to a good start on Monday, with a 4:0 defeat of Ghana in the team’s opening match of group play, via an own goal on a corner kick and a Maya Hayes hat trick. The 3 points and +4 goal differential provides a solid foundation as the team looks to advance out of a tough Group D that also includes tournament favorite Germany. Continue reading “U-20 WWC: Quick Thoughts on the USA’s 4:0 Win Over Ghana”

U-20 WWC: Match Day 1 – Japan Cruises, New Zealand Wins, Italy and Brazil Tie

On Sunday, the 2012 edition of the Under-20 Women’s World Cup kicked off. In Group A, host Japan ended up with a dominant victory over Mexico, while New Zealand’s quality helped itself earn a win against Switzerland. Over in Group B, Nigeria finds itself alone atop the group after defeating South Korea, due to Brazil and Italy drawing in their earlier match. Continue reading “U-20 WWC: Match Day 1 – Japan Cruises, New Zealand Wins, Italy and Brazil Tie”