SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (March 6, 2020) – The U.S. Under-20 Women’s National Team earned a berth to the 2020 FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica and Panama with a dominant 6-0 victory versus host Dominican Republic in the semifinals of the Concacaf Women’s U-20 Championship.
With a lightning start that saw two goals from midfielder Brianna Pinto in the first four minutes, the USA essentially was well on its way to a World Cup ticket before five minutes were gone. Pinto added one more to complete her hat trick while goals from forwards Mia Fishel and Trinity Rodman also helped the U.S. qualify for its 10th straight World Cup at the U-19/U-20 level.
The U.S. will contest the 2020 Concacaf Women’s U-20 Championship Final against the winner of Friday’s second semifinal between Mexico and Haiti. Kickoff for the Final at Estadio Olimpico Felix Sanchez is set for 1 p.m. ET on Sunday, March 8. The game will be broadcast live on Concacaf Go, Concacaf Facebook, Concacaf YouTube and TUDN Xtra.
Fishel’s goal was her 11th of the tournament, the most for a U.S. player in a Concacaf qualifying tournament at this level. Kelly Wilson scored nine in three games in qualifying for the 2002 FIFA U-19 Women's World Cup. Kerri Hanks had nine in the qualifying for the 2004 FIFA U-19 Women's World Cup.
The legendary Michelle Akers holds the record for most goals ever for a senior U.S. WNT player in a Concacaf qualifying tournament when she scored 11 in qualifying for the 1991 FIFA Women’s World Cup. With one more goal, Fishel will tie the all-ages record for the USWNT in a qualifying tournament, albeit in more games than her predecessors due to the change in format for this year’s competition. Summer Green holds the all-ages record, netting 12 goals at the 2012 Concacaf Women’s U-17 Championship.
The semifinal presented a rematch against upstart Dominican Republic after the home team upset Jamaica 2-1 in the quarterfinals to earn its spot in the final four. DR's advancement to the semifinal in front of its home fans represents its highest-ever finish in a Concacaf tournament.
U.S. head coach Laura Harvey made seven changes to the starting XI that defeated DR 4-0 in its second match of the tournament. The addition of Rodman proved impactful as the forward played a part in the first three goals over a span of 14 minutes, tallying two assists and a goal.
The U.S. threatened from the opening whistle, hitting the woodwork just moments after kickoff before Pinto tallied just 84 seconds into the match as Rodman found her all alone inside the six-yard box for the game’s opening goal. The USA doubled its lead almost instantly, once again with Rodman finding Pinto. This time it was a far post cross from the right wing as Pinto crushed a volley home from ten yards out.
The U.S. didn’t slow down with the early lead. Rodman added a goal of her own and Pinto completed her hat trick as the U.S. jumped out to a 4-0 advantage in the 21st minute. With three goals in the first half, Pinto increased her tally at the tournament to nine, tied for second-most ever scored by a U.S. player during a Concacaf qualifying tournament at this level.
The second half saw more of the same from the USA, which scored its fifth goal of the game through Fishel in the 56th minute. In the 62nd minute, Rodman bagged her brace and capped the scoring on a nice turn at the top of the box before crushing a shot into the upper left corner.
The USA allowed just three total shots, two on goal, while outshooting DR 22-3. Claudia Dickey picked up the shutout in goal, her fourth of the tournament as the U.S. is yet to concede in the competition. With the shutout, Dickey ties Katelyn Rowland for the most shutouts by a U.S. player in a single Concacaf Women’s U-20 Championship.
Next on the Schedule: The U.S. faces the winner of Friday afternoon’s semifinal between Mexico and Haiti in the Concacaf Women’s U-20 Championship Final. Kickoff for the Final at Estadio Olimpico Felix Sanchez is set for 1 p.m. ET on Sunday, March 8. The game will be broadcast live on Concacaf Go, Concacaf Facebook, Concacaf YouTube and TUDN Xtra.
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USA – Brianna Pinto (Trinity Rodman), 2nd minute: After hitting the woodwork inside the first minute, Rodman blazed down the right wing, took a touch around a sliding DR defender and played a cross into the six-yard box. Pinto connected with Rodman’s cross on a deft header past DR goalkeeper Nayelis Lopez for the opening goal. USA 1, DOM 0
USA – Brianna Pinto (Trinity Rodman), 4th minute: Moments later, Rodman chipped a ball to the far post from the right wing and Pinto crushed a volley home from ten yards out. USA 2, DOM 0
USA – Trinity Rodman (Jenna Nighswonger), 16th minute: Rodman evaded several defenders just outside the top left corner of the penalty area and then dribbled centrally to make space before smacking a low shot from 19 yards out into the lower left corner. USA 3, DOM 0
USA – Brianna Pinto (Mia Fishel), 21st minute: Pinto completed her hat trick in just over 20 minutes as Fishel beat a defender to the end line on the right side and chipped a cross into the middle. The unmarked Pinto met the cross with a powerful header into the left side of the net. USA 4, DOM 0
USA – Mia Fishel, 56th minute: Rodman did well to save the ball from going over the end line on the right side as she crossed it into the middle. Fishel took a touch on the ball to beat the defender and shot at goal. Her first shot was blocked, but she latched onto the rebound and sent another attempt into the upper left side of the goal with the outside of her right foot. USA 5, DOM 0
USA – Trinity Rodman (Mia Fishel), 62nd minute: Fishel gathered a throw-in on the left wing, shielded a DR defender off the ball and turned to drive into the middle of the field before playing a pass to Rodman towards the top of the penalty box. Rodman received the pass from Fishel, spun towards goal as she let the ball roll through and then smashed her shot into the upper left corner from 12 yards out to finish the scoring. USA 6, DOM 0
The U.S. has kept a clean sheet in six straight matches, a record at this tournament. In 2014, the USA didn’t allow a single goal during the five-game Concacaf Women’s U-20 Championship.
Brianna Pinto’s nine goals are good for third-most in the tournament behind teammate Mia Fishel (11) and Haiti’s Melchie Dumornay (13).
Fishel and Pinto have scored a combined 20 goals, the most of any two teammates at this tournament.
Forward Sophia Smith made her first start of the tournament but had to leave in the 27th minute and will be assessed by the team’s medical staff. Samantha Meza had to leave the game in the second half due to injury and is also being assessed.
Eleven players have scored for the USA at the 2020 Concacaf Women’s U-20 Championship: Mia Fishel (11), Brianna Pinto (9), Trinity Rodman (5), Summer Yates (3), Katelyn Duong, Sierra Enge, Shae Holmes, Rebecca Jarrett, Samantha Meza, Alexa Spaanstra and Kennedy Wesley.
Fourteen players have logged an assist for the U.S. at the tournament: Rodman (6), Spaanstra (5), Yates (4), Duong (3), Naomi Girma (3), Fishel (2), Holmes (2), Jarrett (2), Maycee Bell (1), Brianna Martinez (1), Meza (1), Jenna Nighswonger (1), Pinto (1), Wesley (1).
The result marked the USA’s 34th shutout all-time at this tournament and 22nd time scoring five or more goals.
Match: U.S. Under-20 Women’s National Team vs. Dominican Republic U-20 WNT
Date: March 6, 2020
Competition: 2020 Concacaf Women’s U-20 Championship - Semifinal
Kickoff: 3 p.m. local/ 2 p.m. ET
Weather: 85 degrees, sunny
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
USA 42 6
DOM 0 0 0
USA - Brianna Pinto (Trinity Rodman) 2nd minute
USA - Brianna Pinto (Trinity Rodman) 4
USA - Trinity Rodman (Jenna Nighswonger) 16
USA - Brianna Pinto (Mia Fishel) 20
USA - Mia Fishel 57
USA - Trinity Rodman (Mia Fishel) 62
Lineups:
USA: 12-Claudia Dickey; 20-Talia DellaPeruta, 5-Naomi Girma (Capt.), 14-Maycee Bell, 13-Shae Holmes; 10-Jenna Nighswonger, 6-Brianna Pinto (4-Sierra Enge, 51), 18-Katelyn Duong; 8-Trinity Rodman (19-Samantha Meza, 64), 9-Mia Fishel, 11-Sophia Smith (16-Rebecca Jarrett, 27)
Subs Not Used: 1-Julia Dohle, 2-Brianna Martinez, 3-Emily Mason, 7-Summer Yates, 15-Kennedy Wesley, 17-Alexa Spaanstra
Head Coach: Laura Harvey
DOM: 12-Nayelis Lopez; 3-Carmen Lorenzo, 4-Gabriela Marte (20-Alexa Pacheco, 19), 7-Mia Ansejo, 8-Nicole De Jesus, 9-Kristina Garcia, 10-Marianelys Perez (16-Dahien Cabrera, 65), 11-Alyssa Oviedo (Capt.), 13-Nadia Colon, 14-Giovanna Dionicio, 18-Jazlyn Oviedo (19-Liliane Clase, 75)
Subs Not Used: 1-Mirda Minyety, 2-Lynette Ureña, 5-Brieana Hallo, 15-Stefany Espinal, 17-Ana Santos
Head Coach: Diego Gutierrez
Stats Summary USA / DOM:
Shots: 22 / 3
Shots on Goal: 8 / 2
Saves: 2 / 2
Corner Kicks: 6 / 1
Fouls: 5 / 10
Offside: 0 / 0
Misconduct Summary:
DOM - Kristina Garcia (caution) 90th minute
Officials:
Referee: Tatiana Guzman (NCA)
Assistant Referee 1: Tonia Deane (BRB)
Assistant Referee 2: Melissa Snedden (CAN)
Fourth Official: Astrid Gramajo (GUA)