U-20 USWNT Defeat South Korea at U-20 World Cup

Per Twitter account @UCLAAthletics:

"W. Soccer: U.S. posts 1-0 victory over South Korea at U-20 Women's World Cup to win Group D. UCLA's Sydney Leroux scored the game winner."

First Matches of 2010 U-20 Women's World Cup are in the books, plus USA Roster

The first matches are in and supporters have been treated to some great matches so far as well as some fantstic individual performances (looking at you Ji-So Yun).

Any thoughts so far? I am going to try and provide some more coverage as the tournament progresses.

Here is the USA Roster by the way.

U.S. Under-20 Women’s World Cup Roster by Position:

GOALKEEPERS (3): Adrianna Franch (Oklahoma State; Salina, Kan.), Bryane Heaberlin (Clearwater Chargers; St. Petersburg, Fla.), Bianca Henninger (Santa Clara; Los Gatos, Calif.)

DEFENDERS (6): Crystal Dunn (UNC; Rockville Centre, N.Y.), Kendall Johnson (Portland; Portland, Ore.), Meg Morris (UNC; Montclair, N.J.), Mollie Pathman (Duke; Durham, N.C.), Toni Pressley (Florida State; Melbourne, Fla.), Rachel Quon (Stanford; Lake Forrest, Ill.)

MIDFIELDERS (8): Amber Brooks (UNC; New Hope, Pa.), Zakiya Bywaters (UCLA; Las Vegas, Nev.), Kristie Mewis (Boston College; Hanson, Mass.), Samantha Mewis (Scorpions SC; Hanson, Mass.), Christine Nairn (Penn State; Bowie, Md.), Teresa Noyola (Stanford; Palo Alto, Calif.), Jenna Richmond (UCLA; Centreville, Va.), Casey Short (Florida State; Naperville, Ill.)

FORWARDS (4): Vicki DiMartino (Boston College; Massapequa, N.Y.), Maya Hayes (Penn State; West Orange, N.J.), Sydney Leroux (UCLA; Phoenix, Ariz.), Courtney Verloo (Stanford; Tualatin, Ore.)

US - Sweden Tie in Omaha

The USWNT played to a 1-1 draw against Sweden in Omaha, Nebraska on Tuesday night in the first of two friendlies between the two teams. The other will be played in Hartford on Saturday.

The United States dominated the first 25 minutes with pinpoint passing and possession. They were unable to convert several promising opportunities, the best of which was Abby Wambach getting behind the Swedish defense only to have goalkeeper Sofia Lundgren charge out to make a sliding save.

As the half wore on, Sweden gained confidence. They almost got on the board in the 28th minute as a cross bounced over the heads of Amy LePeilbet of the US and Jessica Landstrom of Sweden right to Linda Forsberg, who nearly tipped the ball by US keeper Nicole Barnhart. Barnhart, who started in place of Hope Solo for this match, barely got a piece of the ball deflecting it wide of the net.

The US finally broke through in the 44th minute. Shannon Boxx forced a turnover in the midfield. The US worked the ball to Wambach who put a perfect ball through to Amy Rodriguez who beat the defender and Lundgren to the ball. She was able to chip the ball just over the diving Lundgren.

Abby Wambach nearly made it 2-0, scoring in the 49th minute. However the play was whistled offsides, although replays show that the call may have been in error.

In the 58th minute, Amy Rodriguez hit the crossbar with her header, again nearly putting the US up by two goals. In the counterattack, Forsberg was able to get behind the US defense on a nicely placed long ball from Stina Segerström. She dribbled in on Barnhart and finished with a shot over the diving keeper to tie the score at one.

Sweden played a strong 2nd half and exposed some rather sloppy play at times on the part of the US. They were playing without their best striker, Lotta Schelin for the match. US coach, Pia Sundhage, continues to experiment with different lineups and combinations in advance of World Cup qualifying this fall.

U.S. U-20 Women off to Spain for La Manga Cup

The U.S. Under-20 Women’s National Team took home the title at the 2010 CONCACAF U-20 Women’s Championships in Guatemala City.

Now the team will head to La Manga, Spain, from February 18 through the 27 for a four-nation tournament featuring the Under-23 National Teams from Norway, England and Germany.

U.S. U-20 Women’s National Team Roster

GOALKEEPERS (2): Adrianna Franch (Oklahoma State; Salina, Kansas), Bianca Henninger (Santa Clara; Los Gatos, Calif.)

DEFENDERS (6): Amber Brooks (UNC; New Hope, Pa.), Crystal Dunn (Albertson SC; Rockville Centre, N.Y.), Kendall Johnson (Portland; Portland, Ore.), Lucretia Lee (UCLA; Bothell, Wash.), Toni Pressley (Florida State; Melbourne, Fla.), Rachel Quon (Stanford; Lake Forrest, Ill.)

MIDFIELDERS (5): Zakiya Bywaters (UCLA; Las Vegas, Nev.), Samantha Mewis (Scorpions SC; Hanson, Mass.), Teresa Noyola (Stanford; Palo Alto, Calif.), Jenna Richmond (McLean SC; Centreville, Va.), Casey Short (Florida State; Naperville, Ill.)

FORWARDS (5): Maya Hayes (Aristocrats Club; West Orange, N.J.), Sydney Leroux (UCLA; Pheonix, Ariz.), Morgan Marlborough (Nebraska; Raymore, Mo.), Tiffany McCarty (Florida State; Laurel, Md.), Courtney Verloo (Portland; Tualatin, Ore.)

Leroux leads US to Victory in CONCACAF U-20 Championship

UCLA standout Sydney Leroux scored in the 87th minute to lead the US to a 1-0 victory over Mexico in the CONCACAF U-20 Championship in Guatemala. Both teams are qualified for the U-20 World Cup to be held in Germany in July and August. Costa Rica edged Canada for the 3rd qualifying spot for the World Cup.

Jamaal Shabazz and his T&T Soca Princesses face a tough U.S. Squad in CONCACAF U-20 action

Read a report from the island nation regarding the Soca Princesses first round loss against Mexico via Trinidad and Tobago Guardian.

Will T&T score against the U.S.?

CONCACAF Under-20 Women's Championship - News and Updates

Live streams, video recaps, solid match reports...it is all there at CONCACAF's website.

Find it below:

CONCACAF Under-20 Women's Championship