U.S. U-17 Women’s National Team travels to Costa Rica for three matches
U.S. Under-17 Women’s National Team head coach B.J. Snow has selected a roster of 20 players who will travel to San Jose, Costa Rica, from April 21-29 for an international tournament featuring the host team and the USA’s counterparts from Mexico and Japan.
The USA will face Mexico on April 24, Costa Rica on April 26 and finish the tournament with Japan on April 28.
The trip will provide the young Americans with valuable experience and competition in the country that will host the 2014 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. On Feb. 28, FIFA announced that Costa Rica would no longer host the tournament due to logistical issues, but at its Executive Committee Meeting on March 22, FIFA confirmed that Costa Rica would in fact stage the tournament.
Players born on or after Jan. 1, 1997, are age-eligible for the next FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. Snow’s roster is made up 16 players born in 1997 and four in 1998. The USA is currently preparing for CONCACAF qualifying, but the dates and a host country for the qualifying tournament have yet to be confirmed.
The roster features 14 players who participated in two friendlies against Germany at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif., at the end of January and beginning of February that produced two 1-1 ties, including both goal scorers for the USA, Kaycie Tillman and Ella Stevens.
U.S. U-17 WNT Roster by Position:
GOALKEEPERS (2): Kat Hess (SoCal Blues; Newport Beach, Calif.), Sabrina Macias (Colorado Rush; Littleton, Colo.)
DEFENDERS (6): Alana Cook (Match Fit Chelsea; Far Hills, N.J.), Natalie Jacobs (Slammers FC; Coto de Caza, Calif.), Ellie Jean (Oakwood SC; Coventry, Calif.), Tegan McGrady (MVLA Soccer Club; San Jose, Calif.), Kate Morris (Michigan Hawks; Plymouth, Mich.), Jacey Pederson (PSV Union; Palo Alto, Calif.)
MIDFIELDERS (6): Michaela Abam (Albion Hurricane FC; Sugar Land, Texas), Dorian Bailey (Sporting BVSC; Missio, Kansas), Marley Canales (San Diego Surf; San Diego, Calif.), Taylor Racioppi (PDA Clash; Ocean Township, N.J.), Anika Rodriguez (SoCal Blues; Torrance, Calif.), Ella Stevens (GSA Phoenix; Grayson, Ga.)
FORWARDS (6): Bridgette Andrzejewski (PSC Baltimore; Lutherville, Md.), Mia Gyau (Bethesda Lions; Silver Springs, Md.), Madison Haley (Dallas Texans; Dallas, Texas), Mia Hoen-Beck (McLean Youth Soccer; Vienna, Va.), Mallory Pugh (Real Colorado; Highlands Ranch, Colo.), Kaycie Tillman (Sting; Rowlett, Texas)
