Canada claim CONCACAF U-20 crown

June 28, 2008

CSA & Whitecaps FC

Canada's U-20 women's team are champions of CONCACAF after a 1-0 final victory over the United States in Puebla, Mexico, on Saturday.

Vancouver Whitecaps forward Karla Schacher scored the game's only goal in time added on at the end of the first half to give Bob Birarda's side the 2008 CONCACAF Women's Under-20 Championship title. Another Whitecaps player in goalkeeper Erin McNulty kept the clean sheet at the Estadio Cuauhtémoc.

It was Canada's second-career victory over the Americans in the CONCACAF U-20 finals, having previously won the title back in Ottawa, Ontario, back in 2004. "The team was so committed to the game plan," Birarda told CanadaSoccer.com following his sixth-straight win in charge of the U-20 women. "We are so very proud of our team right now."

The first half started late after the third-place match between Mexico and Costa Rica finished 2-2 after extra time. The hosts Mexicans won third place – and a spot in the 2008 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup - after a penalty shootout, giving life to the Saturday afternoon crowd in Puebla.

There were few chances in the first half, as both unbeaten teams found their footing on the wet surface. Canada's Sophie Schmidt had the first good shot in the eighth minute. The United States made some penetration as well, but it was not until the 33rd minute that Casey Nogueira fired a shot that McNulty bobbled, but fortunately stopped. Four minutes later, American Sydney Leroux fired a shot wide. "We probably had the first three goal chances, but the game evened out by the end of the first half," said Birarda.

In fact, the first half was all but done save for two minutes of injury time. That was just enough time, however, for Canada to score the winner. Schacher beat the American defender inside the box and then placed a perfect shot past USA goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher for a 1-0 lead.

In the second half, the United States came out firing early. In all, the Americans would fire nine shots in the second half, but none that would beat the Canadian back four and McNulty. One of the United States' best chances came in the 80th minute after a free kick, but substitute Jessica McDonald's shot went high. "In the second half, we just defended and killed off the game," Birarda said. "We kept trying to get forward, but we were locked into a shape."

Late in the match and in injury time, the United States created its final chances. American Keelin Winters headed the ball over the crossbar, and despite two more corner-kick opportunities, time ran out on the Americans, as Canada won its second women's youth confederation championship.

Birarda felt his side's defensive set-up made the difference on the day. "They just couldn’t get behind our back four," he said. "They had several chances, including a couple inside the box, but I didn't feel like we were in trouble. We managed to keep them outside and in front of us."

Canada, along with the USA and Mexico, will move on to the 2008 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Chile. The finals in South America take place from November 19 to December 7 of this year.

CANADA U-20
1.Erin McNulty; 4.Lexi Marton (C), 5.Myriam Bouchard, 11.Allysha Chapman, 15.Rheanne Sleiman; 8.Kaylyn Kyle, 14.Monica Lam-Feist (2.Paige Adams 65'), 16.Sophie Schmidt; 12.Jonelle Filigno (7.Jodi-Ann Robinson 85'), 17.Chelsea Stewart, 19.Karla Schacher

Subs Not Used: 3.Shannon Woeller, 6.Taryne Boudreau, 9.Julie Armstrong, 10.Tina Romagnuolo, 31.Nicole Mailloux, 18.Justine Bermer, 22.Stephanie Panozzo

USA U-20
1.Alyssa Naeher; 19.Keirstan Dallstream, 4.Nikki Marshall, 8.Kaley Fountain, 3.Meghan Klingenberg; 5.Keelin Winters, 9.Gina DiMartino (11.Christine Nairn 65'), 15.Casey Nogueira (25.Becky Edwards 53'); 10.Kelley O’Hara, 13.Michelle Enyeart, 22.Sydney Leroux (14.Jessica McDonald 46')

Subs Not Used: 18.Kristin Arnold, 2.Lauren Fowlkes, 7.Nikki Washington, 21.Ingrid Wells

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