U.S. U-20 WNT set to face Haiti today in CONCACAF Semifinals

U.S. Under-20 Women’s National Team vs. Mexico
2018 CONCACAF Women’s U-20 Championship – Semifinal
Ato Boldon Stadium; Couva, Trinidad & Tobago
2:30 p.m. ET (CONCACAF YouTube & CONCACAF Facebook Live)
Jan. 26, 2018 

(Via U.S. Soccer) – After winning all three of its group stage games to finish atop Group B, the USA is one win away from qualification for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in France. A victory in the semifinal against Haiti (2:30 p.m. ET on CONCACAF YouTube & CONCACAF Facebook Live) will punch the USA’s ticket and continue its quest for a fifth-straight CONCACAF title.

The USA clinched its spot in the semifinal with a thrilling victory over Jamaica on the second match day of the tournament and locked up Group B’s top spot with a win over Mexico in the final match of pool play. Haiti qualified for the semifinal as the second-place team in Group A, downing host Trinidad & Tobago and Costa Rica, while falling to Canada in its final game.

Friday’s match will be broadcast live on Facebook Live and CONCACAF’s YouTube channel.

2018 CONCACAF Women’s U-20 Championship
Knockout Round Schedule

WATCH U-20 WNT QUALIFYING ON UDN: The tournament Final and the second semifinal between Canada and Mexico and will be broadcast live on Univision Deportes Network. All the matches are being streamed on CONCACAF’s YouTube channel.

USA VS. HAITI SERIES:

• The USA has played Haiti twice at the CONCACAF U-20 tournament: the tournament’s first edition in 2002 and in 2015, most recent iteration before this year’s tourney, both in the group stage.
• Four players on the USA’s current qualifying roster logged minutes against Haiti in the 2015 tournament that was played in Honduras, a 6-0 group stage victory.
• Current U-20 WNT players Savannah DeMelo and Tierna Davidson scored against the Le Rouge et Bleu in 2015, their only goals of the tournament.
• In 2002, the USA defeated Haiti 5-0 in Bacolet, Tobago, the red, white and blue’s tightest game of the tournament. Heather O’Reilly scored twice while Kelly Wilson, Lindsey Tarpley and Kerri Hanks also added goals. O’Reilly and Tarpley would go on to have highly decorated WNT careers.
• This year marks Haiti’s first appearance in the tournament semifinals.
• Haiti has never qualified for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.
• Haiti is seeking to become the second non-North American team to qualify for the World Cup from CONCACAF. Costa Rica is currently the only non-North American squad to reach the tournament (2010, 2014).

2018 CONCACAF Women’s U-20 Championship Roster (College or Club; Hometown; Caps/Goals):

HAITI ROSTER
GOALKEEPERS (2): Kerly Theus (Aigle Brillant), Naphtaline Clermeus (ASF Croix des B)
DEFENDERS (8): Ruthny Mathurin (ASF Croix des B), Naphtalie Northe (Aigle Brillant), Emeline Charles (Aigle Brillant), Dougenie Tabita K. Joseph (ASF Croix des B), Betina Petit Frere (ASF Croix des B), Rosianne Jean (Tigresse), Taina Gervais (Tigresse), Flero Dina Surpris (ASF Croix des B)
MIDFIELDERS (8): Melissa Shelsie Davius (Tigresse), Nelourde Nicolas (Anacaona Leogane), Shelry Jeudy (Anacaona Leogane), Roseline Eloissaint (Tigresse), Rachelle Caremus (ASF Croix des B), Danielle Monique Etienne (Bethseda FC/USA), Magdala Macean (Anacaona), Dolores Jean Thomas (Tigresse)
FORWARDS (2): Nerilia Mondesir (Montpellier/FRA), Melchie Daelle Dumonay (ASF Croix des B) 

FINAL GROUP STANDINGS AND RESULTS
GROUP A

Date                Match                                                   Result               Venue
Jan. 18             Costa Rica vs. Canada              1-3                    Ato Boldon Stadium; Couva, Trinidad
Jan. 18             T&T vs. Haiti                            2-3                     Ato Boldon Stadium; Couva, Trinidad
Jan. 20             Haiti vs. Costa Rica                  3-2                    Ato Boldon Stadium; Couva, Trinidad
Jan. 20             Canada vs. T&T                        4-1                    Ato Boldon Stadium; Couva, Trinidad
Jan. 22             Haiti vs. Canada                       0-4                    Ato Boldon Stadium; Couva, Trinidad
Jan. 22             T&T vs. Costa Rica                   1-2                    Ato Boldon Stadium; Couva, Trinidad

GROUP B

Date                Match                                                  Result               Venue
Jan. 19             Mexico vs. Jamaica                  4-0                    Ato Boldon Stadium; Couva, Trinidad
Jan. 19           USA vs. Nicaragua                   2-0                     Ato Boldon Stadium; Couva, Trinidad
Jan. 21            Mexico vs. Nicaragua              2-0                    Ato Boldon Stadium; Couva, Trinidad
Jan. 21            USA vs. Jamaica                       2-1                    Ato Boldon Stadium; Couva, Trinidad
Jan. 23           USA vs. Mexico                       2-1                    Ato Boldon Stadium; Couva, Trinidad
Jan. 23            Nicaragua vs. Jamaica                         2-2                    Ato Boldon Stadium; Couva, Trinidad

TRIUMPH OVER EL TRI TO TOP GROUP: The final group stage match kicked off with first place in Group B at stake and the USA need a win to finish in first place. The Americans were on the attack early, and two first-half goals proved enough to power the red, white and blue over El Tri. Samantha Coffey played Abigail Kim behind the defense in the 30th minute, and she hammered home her semi-breakaway chance for the game’s opening score. Nine minutes later, Sophia Smith collected a long pass from Ashley Sanchez on the right wing, had time to settle the ball and then found the cutting Sanchez, who chopped home her first goal of the tournament from six yards out. It was the seventh of her U-20 career, good for third-best on the team. The victory also extended the USA’s tournament undefeated streak to 23.

THRILLER SECURES SEMIFINALS: The USA controlled most of the Jan. 21 fixture against Jamaica, but led just 1-0 at the half. 2017 U.S. Soccer Young Female Player of the Year Sophia Smith had a few dangerous chances in the opening 45 minutes, and finally found the back of the net on a rocketed free kick goal in the 42nd minute.

The Reggae Girlz fought back in the second half and a series of aggressive attacking runs led to an equalizer in the 88th on a set-piece score. Undeterred, the USA mounted a quick response. On a run towards the goal down the left side, Smith poked it to Howell in front of the net, and Howell slotted home the game-winner with a sliding shot in the 89th minute. The victory clinched a berth in the all-important semifinals.

SUCCESSFUL START: The USA dominated possession against Nicaragua, controlling the ball for more than 70 percent of the match and outshooting La Azul y Blanco 19-3. The American attack finally broke through in the 17th minute. Savannah DeMelo connected with Taryn Torres on a cross in front of the net and Torres hammered it home for the game’s opening score. Kuhlmann’s goal came just after halftime, when Jaelin Howell forced a turnover and slid the ball to the forward on a run towards the net. Kuhlmann slotted it into the corner for her ninth goal in 13 U-20 caps.

TOURNAMENT FORMAT: This year marks the ninth edition of the CONCACAF Women’s U-20 Championship. The tournament began in 2002 as the CONCACAF Women’s U-19 Championship. The tournament features eight nations divided into two groups of four teams. The top two finishers in each group qualified for the semifinals. The winners of those games, as well as the winner of the third-place match, will earn berths to the 2018 FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup in France.