US U-18 Team Held Their Ground Against U19 International Teams
Soccer News from US Soccer – The U.S. U-18 Women’s National Team traveled to La Manga, Spain, from Feb. 27 to March 7 for three matches against U-19 teams as part of the annual event in southwest Spain. The USA team was coached by April Heinrichs, U.S. Soccer Women’s Technical Director. The U.S. team, which is made up mostly of players born in 1998, is facing teams made up mostly of 1997s. Of the 22-player roster, San Diego Surf SC has the majority of representation with six players on the roster.
Related Article: Surf SC On U18 Women’s National Team
Here’s a recap of the U-18 USWNT international friendlies in La Manga, Spain:
U-18 USWNT vs U-19 DENMARK
The U.S. U-18 Women’s National Team drew with the Denmark U-19 WNT 0-0 in its first of three matches. The U.S. out-shot Denmark 10-6, but neither team could find the net as Brooke Heinsohn picked up the shutout for the Americans.
U18 WNT VS U19 ENGLAND
The U.S. U-18 Women’s National defeated the England U-19 WNT 1-0 in its second of three matches.
Halftime substitute Abigail Kim scored in the 78th minute to provide the game-winner. Amazingly, it was the third time in a span of three days that the USA had defeated England 1-0 over three age groups on a late goal: U-18s (vs. England U-19s), U-20s (vs. England U-23s) and the senior WNT.
The goal came when Kennedy Goins played a through ball down the right side for Kim, who blasted her shot into the upper corner at the far post.
U18 USWNT VS U19 NORWAY
The U.S. U-18 Women’s National won its second consecutive 1-0 match, downing the Norway U-19 WNT as Kim scored the winner for the second game in a row.
Against Norway, Kim tallied in the 36th minute off a corner from Cecilia Gee and the goal held up as Amanda Dennis picked up the shutout.
All the players who traveled to Spain are age-eligible for the team that will participate in the 2016 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup which has an age cut-off of players born on or after Jan. 1, 1996, but the goal for this age group is to ultimately qualify for the 2018 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.
Source: US Soccer (www.ussoccer.com)
