United States women's national under-20 soccer team

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

United States under-20
Nickname(s)Team USA
The Stars and Stripes
The Yanks
AssociationUnited States Soccer Federation
ConfederationCONCACAF (North America)
Head coachVacant
Most capsMaya Hayes (43)
Top scorerKelly Wilson (31)
FIFA codeUSA
First colors
Second colors
CONCACAF Women's U-20 Championship
Appearances10 (first in 2002)
Best resultWinners (2006, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2020)
FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup
Appearances10 (first in 2002)
Best resultWinners (2002, 2008, 2012)

The United States U-20 women's national soccer team is a youth soccer team operated under the auspices of U.S. Soccer. Its primary role is the development of players in preparation for the senior women's national team. The team most recently appeared in the 2018 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in France, where they failed to progress from the group stage for the first time in the competition's history. The team competes in a variety of competitions, including the biennial FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup, which is the top competition for this age group.

History[]

Beginnings as a U-18 program[]

The United States U-20 team has been active since 1998; however, it was run as a U-18 team from its inception until 2001.[1] It was led by Shannon Higgins-Cirovski, the first coach in the team's history, through the middle of 1999 before she left for the Maryland Terrapins soccer team. Jay Hoffman, who served as Higgins-Cirovski's assistant, took charge of the team and led them to a gold medal for the 1999 Pan American Games, the first time the tournament was open to women's teams. Among the U-18 women playing at the 1999 Pan American Games were future senior national team members Cat Whitehill and Hope Solo.[2]

The switch to U-19[]

2001 through 2003[]

In 2001, the United States Soccer Federation decided to change the age limit from the U-18 team to U-19. The move was in preparation for FIFA's introduction of the first ever FIFA U-19 Women's World Championship (which has since changed). The new U-19 squad won the inaugural 2002 FIFA U-19 Women's World Championship in Canada, where they beat the hosts on a golden goal by captain and future United States women's national team mainstay Lindsay Tarpley. Five other members of that same team would join Tarpley as teammates on the senior international team: Rachel Buehler, Lori Chalupny, Heather O'Reilly, Leslie Osborne and Angie Woznuk. Other notable 2002 team members were Kelly Wilson, the all-time leading goal scorer in the history of the U-20 team, as well as two-time Hermann Trophy winner Kerri Hanks, who would go on to become one of the most decorated players in women's collegiate soccer.

2004[]

In 2004, the U-19 team placed third at the 2004 FIFA U-19 Women's World Championship in Thailand, after having been defeated by Germany in the semifinals.[3] The tournament marked the world championship debut of future senior national team members Yael Averbuch, Stephanie Lopez, Amy Rodriguez and Megan Rapinoe. However, in 2006, FIFA increased the age limit of the FIFA U-19 Women's World Championship to 20. 2004 also saw the first loss to a similar-aged team in the history of the program when the squad lost to Japan.

Competing as a U-20 team[]

2005 and 2006[]

As the United States Soccer Federation did in 2001 prior to the introduction of the U-19 tournament, they raised the age of the squad from U-19 to U-20 in 2005. The move was, again, in response to FIFA's altering of the competition from U-19 to U-20. The actual team's play in 2005 was quiet due to a transition in coaches.

In 2006, the United States U-20 team played in a whopping 50 matches prior to the 2006 FIFA U-20 Women's World Championship in Russia; however, the team finished in fourth place. The U.S. lost to China in penalties in the semifinal and followed up the loss with another to Brazil in the third-place match, also on penalties.[4] Seven members of that 2006 team: Lauren Cheney, Christina DiMartino, Tobin Heath, Stephanie Lopez, Casey Nogueira, Kelley O'Hara and Amy Rodriguez, have made appearances for the senior national team. Lopez played in the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup, and, joined by Cheney, Heath and Rodriguez, also represented the United States at the 2008 Summer Olympics. Nogueira and O'Hara helped the 2008 U-20 team to qualify for the 2008 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup that same year.

2007 and 2008[]

2007 saw the squad sent to the 2007 Pan American Games, just as they had done prior in the 1999 Pan American Games. This time around, the United States sent along two "over-aged players" in Lauren Cheney and Brittany Taylor. The decision proved costly as the supplemented U-20 team were dismantled in the finals, 5–0, to a full-strength Brazil squad.[5]

In 2008, two years removed from the disastrous fourth-place finish at the 2006 U-20 World Championship, the United States U-20 women finally reclaimed the World Cup title at the 2008 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in Chile, with Sydney Leroux winning the Golden Ball and Golden Shoe for being named the best player of the tournament as well as scoring the most goals. Alex Morgan earned the Silver Shoe as the tournament's second-highest scorer and the Silver Ball as the tournament's second-best player behind teammate Leroux.[6] To date, Alex Morgan, Sydney Leroux, Christine Nairn, Alyssa Naeher, and Meghan Klingenberg are the only members of the 2008 squad to be capped by the senior national team.

2009 and 2010[]

In 2009, Tony DiCicco handed the coaching reins back to Jill Ellis, who had coached the 2007 Pan American Games squad. 2009 also saw the influx of players who took part in the inaugural FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup into the U-20s, including Kristen Mewis, US Soccer's 2008 Young Female Player of the Year, and Vicki DiMartino, younger sister of U-20 alumni Christina (2006) and Gina (2007–2008). Two members of the 2008 squad, Sydney Leroux and Christine Nairn, returned to captain the team through the next World Cup cycle.

The team won the 2010 CONCACAF Under-20 Women's Championship title the next year and secured a berth to the 2010 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup, to be held in Germany. Sydney Leroux was the leading scorer at the tournament with six goals.[7] In the World Cup, they won their group, but lost on penalty kicks to Nigeria in the quarterfinals. Leroux was again their leading scorer, tallying five goals in their four matches.

2011 and 2012[]

In 2011, Steve Swanson was named coach of the squad for the second time, after having coached in 2000. To prepare for the 2012 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in Japan, the team played 8 friendlies (winning seven) and qualifying with ease for the World Cup, scoring 24 goals in the qualifying tournament, while conceding only once.

In the World Cup, the squad was led by a Maya Hayes hat trick en route to beating Ghana 4–0. After a 1–1 draw against China, and a 3–0 loss to Germany, the US qualified for the quarterfinals over China on goal differential. In the quarterfinals, Chioma Ubogagu scored in extra time in a 2–1 victory over North Korea. In the semifinal, Morgan Brian and Kealia Ohai scored in a 2–0 win over Nigeria. The final was a rematch with Germany. Ohai scored right before halftime, and the US held on for a 1–0 win and their third World Cup championship.

2013 and 2014[]

Following the 2012 World Cup win, Michelle French took over the U-20 program. Defenders Cari Roccaro and returned from the 2012 World Cup winning side to lead the team along with Paris Saint-Germain target woman Lindsey Horan, the first American woman to skip college and turn professional, and Andi Sullivan, who was named co-captain despite being the youngest player on the squad during qualifiers. The US team again coasted through the CONCACAF qualifying tournament, winning all 5 matches without even conceding a single goal. However, the World Cup would offer much greater resistance as they started out in the Group of Death with international powerhouses Germany, Brazil, and China.

The World Cup tournament would feature a large sense of deja vu from two years prior, with the Americans grouped with China and Germany again. The US opened in a rematch of the previous final against Germany, this time coming up short, losing 2–0. But in a similar manner that they had in the previous World Cup, they survived the group stage with wins against Brazil and China behind strong performances by Lindsey Horan and central midfielder Rose Lavelle. The second-place finish in their group would match them for the second tournament in a row against North Korea and as they had two years before, the match went into extra time. Unfortunately for the Americans, this time the winning magic was not to be found as the game went into a shootout from the penalty spot and the Korean keeper dominated. Savannah Jordan, Lindsey Horan, and Rose Lavelle were all denied by Korean keeper Kim on weak efforts from the spot and the Americans exited the tournament earlier than expected.

2016–present[]

In 2016, the team participated in the 2016 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup, and made it to the semifinals, where they lost to North Korea again in extra time.[8] They then lost to Japan in the third-place match.[9]

In February 2017, US Soccer reassigned Michelle French to be a full-time assistant coach for the senior women's national team,[10] with Jitka Klimková replacing her as head coach in April 2017.[11]

The team finished runners-up in the 2018 CONCACAF Women's U-20 Championship. In the 2018 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup, the team failed to progress from the group stage for the first time in history.

Competitive record[]

FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup[]

Year Result Matches Wins Draws Losses GF GA Coach
Canada 2002 Champions 6 6 0 0 26 2 Tracey Leone
Thailand 2004 Third place 6 5 0 1 14 4 Mark Krikorian
Russia 2006 Fourth place 6 4 2 0 11 3 Tim Schulz
Chile 2008 Champions 6 5 0 1 12 3 Tony DiCicco
Germany 2010 Quarterfinals 4 2 2 0 8 2 Jill Ellis
Japan 2012 Champions 6 4 1 1 10 5 Steve Swanson
Canada 2014 Quarterfinals 4 2 1 1 5 3 Michelle French
Papua New Guinea 2016 Fourth place 6 2 2 2 7 6 Michelle French
France 2018 Group Stage 3 1 1 1 8 3 Jitka Klimkova
Costa Rica 2021 Canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
Costa Rica 2022 TBD
Total 10/10 47 31 9 7 101 31
After the award ceremony at the 2012 FIFA Under-20 Women'S World Cup in Japan

CONCACAF Women's U-20 Championship tournament record[]

The U-20 women have won the CONCACAF Women's U-20 Championship six times, in 2006, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2015 and 2020;[12] the 2002 tournament did not have a championship final.[13] The U-20s finished as runners-up to Canada in 2004 and 2008 and to Mexico in 2018.

Year Result Matches Wins Draws Losses GF GA Coach
Trinidad and Tobago 2002 No final held 3 3 0 0 34 1 Tracey Leone
Canada 2004 Runners-up 5 3 1 1 32 3 Mark Krikorian
Mexico 2006 Champions 5 5 0 0 19 3 Tim Schulz
Mexico 2008 Runners-up 5 4 0 1 20 1 Tony DiCicco
Guatemala 2010 Champions 5 5 0 0 15 2 Jill Ellis
Panama 2012 Champions 4 4 0 0 24 1 Steve Swanson
Cayman Islands 2014 Champions 5 5 0 0 29 0 Michelle French
Honduras 2015 Champions 5 4 1 0 22 3 Michelle French
Trinidad and Tobago 2018 Runners-up 5 3 2 0 8 4 Jitka Klimková
Dominican Republic 2020 Champions 7 7 0 0 44 1 Laura Harvey
Total 9/9 49 43 4 2 247 19

Pan American Games[]

The under-18 team participated and won the inaugural soccer tournament in the 1999 Pan American Games,[14] while the under-20 team lost in the final of the 2007 Pan American Games,[15] competing against full national teams. These opportunities are a consequence of holding the FIFA Women's World Cup in the same year as the Pan American Games.

Year Result Matches Wins Draws Losses GF GA Coach
Canada 1999 Champions 6 5 1 0 22 2 Jay Hoffman
Dominican Republic 2003
No United States team participated
Brazil 2007 Runners-up 6 4 0 2 17 11 Jill Ellis
Mexico 2011
No United States team participated
Canada 2015
No United States team participated
Total 2/4 12 9 1 3 39 13

Players[]

Current squad[]

The following 20 players were named to the squad for the 2020 CONCACAF Women's U-20 Championship.[16]

Caps and goals are current as of February 13, 2020.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK 0 0 United States North Carolina Tar Heels
1GK (2001-02-06) February 6, 2001 (age 20) 6 0 United States Penn State Nittany Lions

2DF (2000-09-18) September 18, 2000 (age 21) 4 1 United States North Carolina Tar Heels
2DF 0 0 United States Stanford Cardinal
2DF (2000-06-14) June 14, 2000 (age 21) 25 0 United States Stanford Cardinal
2DF 2 0 United States Washington Huskies
2DF 4 0 United States Notre Dame Fighting Irish
2DF 2 0 United States PDA
2DF 0 0 United States Stanford Cardinal

3MF 4 0 Germany 1. FC Köln
3MF (2001-03-27) March 27, 2001 (age 20) 3 0 United States Minnesota Golden Gophers
3MF (2000-11-28) November 28, 2000 (age 20) 4 1 United States Florida State Seminoles
3MF Brianna Pinto (2000-05-24) May 24, 2000 (age 21) 32 4 United States North Carolina Tar Heels
3MF (1998-07-19) July 19, 1998 (age 23) 13 2 United States Virginia Cavaliers
3MF (2000-06-17) June 17, 2000 (age 21) 4 2 United States Washington Huskies

4FW (2001-04-30) April 30, 2001 (age 20) 0 0 United States UCLA Bruins
4FW 5 0 United States Virginia Cavaliers
4FW 7 1 United States Solar SC
4FW Trinity Rodman 2 1 United States So Cal Blues SC
4FW Sophia Smith (2000-08-10) August 10, 2000 (age 21) 27 23 United States Portland Thorns

Recent call-ups[]

The following players were named to a squad in the last 12 months.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up

Previous major tournament rosters[]

2018 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup squad
2016 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup squad
2014 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup squad
2012 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup squad
2010 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup squad
2008 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup squad
2006 FIFA U-20 Women's World Championship squad
2004 FIFA U-19 Women's World Championship squad
2002 FIFA U-19 Women's World Championship squad

Player records[]

International match statistics, as of August 12, 2014. All goals scored in international matches only.

Top scorers[]

Rank Player Goals Years
1 Kelly Schmedes 31 2001–2002
2 Lindsey Horan 24 2011–2014
2 Sydney Leroux 24 2008–2010
2 Kelley O'Hara 24 2006–2008
2 Lindsay Tarpley 24 2001–2002
6 Kerri Hanks 22 2002–2004
7 Heather O'Reilly 18 2001–2002
8 Maya Hayes 16 2010–2012
9 Lauren Cheney 15 2006–2007
10 Amy Rodriguez 11 2004–2006

Most capped players[]

Rank Player Caps Years
1 Maya Hayes 43 2010–2012
2 Crystal Dunn 39 2010–2012
2 Ashlyn Harris 39 2002–2004
2 Sydney Leroux 39 2008–2010
5 Samantha Mewis 38 2010–2012
6 Kelley O'Hara 35 2006–2008
7 Cari Roccaro 34 2011–2014
8 Kerri Hanks 30 2002–2004
9 Christine Nairn 28 2008–2010
10 Lindsey Horan 26 2011–2014
10 Teresa Noyola 26 2007–2010
10 Lindsay Tarpley 26 2001–2002
Players still eligible for the U-20 player pool in bold.

Coaches[]

References[]

  1. ^ 2009 WNT U.S. Soccer Media Guide
  2. ^ U.S. Under-18 Women Defeat Mexico 1–0, Take Home Inaugural Pan Am Championship, US Soccer, August 5, 1999.
  3. ^ U.S. Women Fall to Germany, 3–1, at U-19 World Championship, US Soccer, November 24, 2004.
  4. ^ USA Falls to Brazil in Penalties to Finish Fourth at U-20 Women's World Championship, US Soccer, September 3, 2006.
  5. ^ U-20 WNT Fall in Pan-Am Final to Full Brazilian National Team Archived June 10, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, US Soccer, July 26, 2007.
  6. ^ Morgan and Leroux, blazing a trail, FIFA.com, December 8, 2008.
  7. ^ U.S. U-20 WNT Claim CONCACAF Crown with 1–0 Defeat of Mexico, US Soccer, January 30, 2010.
  8. ^ "Korea DPR into final as USA sunk in extra time". FIFA.com. November 29, 2016. Retrieved June 19, 2017.
  9. ^ "Ueno ensures dominant Japan earn third". FIFA.com. December 3, 2016. Retrieved June 19, 2017.
  10. ^ "Michelle French, B.J. Snow Join Senior WNT Staff". www.ussoccer.com. Retrieved September 13, 2018.
  11. ^ "Jitka Klimkova, Mark Carr named head coaches of U.S. U-20, U-17 WNTs". SoccerWire. April 7, 2017. Retrieved June 19, 2017.
  12. ^ "USA Earns Fourth CONCACAF Women's U-20 Championship Crown with 4–0 Victory Against Mexico".
  13. ^ CONCACAF Qualifying Set for U-20 WWC in Germany and U-17 WWC in Trinidad & Tobago, US Soccer, November 30, 2009.
  14. ^ "U.S. Under-18 Women Defeat Mexico 1–0, Take Home Inaugural Pan Am Championship". U.S.Soccer. August 5, 1999. Retrieved August 28, 2014.
  15. ^ "U-20 WNT Fall in Pan-Am Final to Full Brazilian National Team". U.S.Soccer. July 26, 2007. Retrieved August 28, 2014.
  16. ^ https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2020/02/harvey-names-usa-roster-for-2020-concacaf-womens-u20-championship-in-dominican-republic
Retrieved from ""