Tag: USWNT U-20

U.S. falls 3-1 to Japan, crashes out of U-20 Women’s World Cup

The U.S. U-20s couldn’t solve an organized Japan

Just like that, the Under-20 World Cup is already over for the USYNT.

Facing a must-win final game in Group D, the U.S. U-20s fell 3-1 to Japan, consigning a talent-laden squad to an early exit from a tournament they felt they could win. Japan and the Netherlands, who stunned the USYNT 3-0 on Sunday, are through to the quarterfinals instead.

It’s the second straight group stage elimination for the U.S. U-20 team, after a 2018 squad loaded with players who currently start in NWSL finished behind the eventual champions Japan and a very strong Spain side.

The U.S. entered the match knowing that only a victory would do, with advancement only possible via a multi-goal win over Japan, or a win combined with the Dutch failing to beat Ghan.

While playing through a scoreless, and often cagey, first half, the pressure on the USYNT increased: the Dutch took a 1-0 lead over Ghana over in San Jose.

Meanwhile, the U.S. struggled to break down Japan, who were well-organized throughout. Only Ally Sentnor’s 7th minute shot, via heavy deflection, worried Shu Ohba, but the goalkeeper—who plays collegiately in the NCAA at East Tennessee State—recovered to tip the ball away in the nick of time.

Just as news came in that the Dutch had gone up 2-0, disaster struck. A U.S. turnover from Lilly Reale sparked a break for Japan, and Manaka Matsukubo managed to sneak a shot past Mia Justus just before retreating defenders could get a block in.

Things went from bad to worse in the 67th minute, as a short corner routine undid the USYNT defense. Unmarked at the back post, Shinomi Koyama set herself before blazing a shot into the upper corner from an angle to give the tournament’s defending champions a two-goal lead.

Staring elimination in the face, the U.S. had a reaction. Simone Jackson, just minutes after entering as a sub, reacted sharply to steer Alyssa Thompson’s cross from the right past Ohba.

Tracey Kevins’ side threw everything forward in search of a miracle, but Japan put the result to bed on the counter, with Haruna Tabata’s header being confirmed after a nearly four-minute VAR check in the final moments.

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U.S. stunned 3-0 by the Netherlands at U-20 Women’s World Cup

The U.S. is staring down potential elimination at the group stage

The U.S. is staring down potential elimination at the group stage of the Under-20 Women’s World Cup after a stunning 3-0 defeat to the Netherlands on Sunday.

After the Americans opened the tournament in Costa Rica with a routine win over Ghana, they were comprehensively beaten by a well-drilled Dutch side in their second match.

The USWNT will now likely need a win from its final match against Japan to have a shot at reaching the quarterfinals. That will be no easy feat after the Japanese started the tournament with two straight wins.

The Netherlands took advantage of a corner kick to open the scoring in the first half, before Dana Foederer unleashed a stunning strike from long distance that doubled her side’s lead 10 minutes into the second half.

A penalty kick just minutes later sealed the win for the Netherlands, who went into second place in Group D, level on points with the USWNT but with a two-goal advantage on goal differential.

That advantage could prove vital going into the final set of games on Wednesday. The USWNT will need to better the Netherlands’ result against Ghana, or win and overturn its goal differential disadvantage if the Netherlands also wins. If not, they will be heading home.

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USWNT cruises past Ghana to start U-20 World Cup

Michelle Cooper grabbed a goal and assist in the first half as Tracey Kevins’ side got an easy win

The U.S. Under-20 women’s national team kicked off the World Cup with an easy 3-0 win over 10-player Ghana on Thursday at the Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto in Alajuela, Costa Rica.

The USWNT got first-half goals from Michelle Cooper and Alyssa Thompson, sandwiched in between a straight red card for Ghana’s Jacqueline Owusu.

Up two goals and a player, the U.S. cruised in the second half and got a third goal through halftime sub Ally Sentnor.

It wasn’t all good news for the USWNT U-20s on Thursday, however, as prior to the match against Ghana, U.S. Soccer announced midfielder Sally Menti tore her ACL in training and would miss the tournament. Annie Karich was named to the roster as a replacement.

The U.S. continues the U-20 World Cup on Sunday against the Netherlands before closing out group play on Wednesday against Japan.

Watch the USWNT U-20 goals vs. Ghana

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Moultrie, Shaw headline USWNT U-20 World Cup roster

The USWNT features two pros, one youth player and 18 collegiate players

Olivia Moultrie and Jaedyn Shaw will headline the U.S. roster for the upcoming U-20 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica.

U.S. Soccer named the 21-player roster on Monday, which included two professionals (Moultrie and Shaw), 18 college players and one youth club player.

Moultrie, 16, became the youngest goalscorer in NWSL history last month, while Shaw, 17, recently signed with the San Diego Wave.

The USWNT U-20s will kick off the World Cup on August 11 against Ghana, before facing the Netherlands on August 14 and Japan on August 17 to close out the group stage. The top two teams in the four-team group will reach the quarterfinals.

“We have a challenging group in Costa Rica and tremendous respect for the three other teams, but we also have a staff and players who embrace challenges and adversity, so we’re really looking forward to seeing how our team grows into this tournament,” said U-20 head coach Tracey Kevins.

The last U-20 Women’s World Cup was held in 2018, as the 2020 edition was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

USWNT U-20 World Cup roster

GOALKEEPERS (3): Mia Justus (Florida State), Neeku Purcell (UCLA), Teagan Wy (California)

DEFENDERS (6): Lauren Flynn (Florida State), Samar Guidry (Virginia) Emily Mason (Rutgers), Ayo Oke (California), Lilly Reale (UCLA), Laney Rouse (Virginia)

MIDFIELDERS (5): Korbin Albert (Notre Dame), Talia DellaPeruta (UNC), Carina Lageyre (Duke), Sally Menti (Santa Clara), Olivia Moultrie (Portland Thorns FC)

FORWARDS (7): Trinity Byars (Texas); Michelle Cooper (Duke); Simone Jackson (USC), Andrea Kitahata (Stanford), Ally Sentnor (UNC), Jaedyn Shaw (San Diego Wave FC), Alyssa Thompson (Total Futbol Academy)

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