U20 WNT Cruise Past Venezuela in Final Match Ahead of World Cup
The U.S. U20 WNT closed out its final preparation for the 2016 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in Papua New Guinea with a dominating victory over Venezuela. The United States open the tournament against France on Monday, November 14th, a side they have edged in their previous two World Cup group play meetings.
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Soccer News: The U.S. U20 Women’s National Team cruised past the Venezuela U20 WNT 5-1 in the second of two matches between the teams during a training camp in Florida. The USA topped Venezuela 6-2 on October 8th in a match that was moved back one day due to Hurricane Matthew.
Like in the first match, the United States scored early as midfielder Courtney Petersen recorded her second goal with the U20 side. Midfielder Parker Roberts sent a sleek pass into the penalty area for Petersen, who took a touch to the inside and then struck her shot into the left corner for her second career international goal.
Just four minutes later, midfielder Emily Ogle scored her first international goal, finishing a rebound off the goalkeeper to extends the young Americans’ lead. The USA held the two-goal advantage until the 54th minute when Venezuela pulled a goal back through Alexyar Canas, but as she did in the first match, U.S. captain Mallory Pugh almost immediately answered back, finding the net off an assist from Jessie Scarpa for her 17th goal at the U20 level.
Midfielder Kelcie Hedge recorded her fourth international goal in the 64th minute off a corner kick. The ball deflected off several players before falling to Hedge’s feet as she pounded her shot into the net. Central defender Natalie Jacobs scored her first international in the 85th minute for the final tally. That goal also came off a set play as midfielder Katie Cousins played a long free kick that was mishandled by the goalkeeper. It fell to Jacobs, who brought it down, shielded off a defender and finished into the open net.
This was the final international match for the U.S. team before it departs for the 2016 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in Papua New Guinea.
In PNG, the USA is in Group C with France, New Zealand and Ghana while Venezuela will play in Group D with Germany, Mexico and the Korea Republic.
The U.S. begins its World Cup on Monday, November 14th, against France in one of the highlight opening matches. The USA and France met in group play at the 2006 U20 Women’s World Cup in Russia, with the USA winning 1-0, and in the opening game of the 2008 U20 Women’s World Cup, with the USA recording a 3-0 victory.
The Americans face New Zealand for the first time in a U20 WWC on Thursday, November 17th, and finish the group against Ghana on Monday, November 21st. The USA played Ghana in group play in two consecutive U20 Women’s World Cup tournaments, drawing 1-1 in Germany in 2010 and winning 4-0 in Japan in 2012. The USA will play its first two group games at Sir Hubert Murray Stadium and its third group game at National Football Stadium. Both stadiums are located in the capital city of Papua New Guinea, Port Moresby.
Photo Credit: U.S. Soccer
