January 30 – Mexico broke the four-championship winning streak of the US to take their first-ever CONCACAF Under-20 Women’s title at the weekend in Trinidad. A 4-2 penalty shoot out win made it third final lucky for the Mexicans who had lost to the US in 2010and 2014.
Mexico, the US and Haiti will now go forward as CONCACAF’s representatives in the 2018 U-20 Women’s World Cup this August in France.
The US, who have won the biennial tournament five of the eight time it has been held, went into the match as favourites having beaten Mexico 2-1 in the group stage.
Mexico took a 1-0 lead in the 33rd minute from a Dayana Cazares who drilled a right-footed shot into the net from 10-yards out. The US equalised in the 49th minute after Civana Kuhlmann capitalised from a defensive miscue to head in, taking the match into extra time and then penalities.
In the penalty shoot out Mexican goalkeeper Emily Alvarado saved twice while Katty Martinez, Jimena Lopez, Mia Villegas and Belen Cruz converted successfully for the Tricolor.
Haiti were surprise winners over Canada 1-0 in the third place play-off to book the final berth in France.
The 8-team U20 championships were competed for by three nations from North America, three from the Caribbean and two from Central America.
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