Haiti to open Women’s U-17s against United States

February 4, 2010

Haiti, which was devastated by an earthquake last month, will open the CONCACAF Under-17 Women’s Championship against the defending champion United States, the start of the 16-game, 11-day event.

Despite the calamity which according to some estimates has killed 200,000 in the country, Haiti has confirmed its participation in the second biennial U-17 championship, the first time it has qualified for the CONCACAF finals of a women’s youth event since the 2002 U-19 tournament.

CONCACAF President Jack Warner visited Haiti on Sunday, committing support and offering encouragement to the Haitian Football Federation.

“Haiti’s participation in this tournament under the most difficult circumstances is a testament to the will and commitment of the Haitian Football Federation, their players and coaches and the Haitian people,” Warner said. “We applaud their perseverance and look forward to working together to rebuild their football program and country.”

The team already has arrived in Santo Domingo, where the Dominican Football Federation is providing lodging, training facilities and other assistance to help prepare the side for next month’s championship.

The tournament, to be played entirely at Alejandro Morera Soto Stadium – the home of Liga Deportiva Alajuelense – in Alajuela, Costa Rica, will open March 10, a day later than originally announced, and will conclude with the title and third-place matches on March 20.

Like the CONCACAF U-20 Women’s Championship in January, all matches from the U-17 event will be streamed live free of charge at CONCACAF.com. Each game will also be available on-demand shortly after its conclusion.

The CONCACAF event will qualify two teams, along with Under-17 Women’s World Cup host Trinidad & Tobago, for the world championship in September.

Immediately following the Haiti-United States match, host Costa Rica will play the Cayman Islands in the nightcap of the opening day, Group B doubleheader.

Group A will begin the following day, March 11, with Panama playing Mexico and Jamaica facing Canada.

Group play will continue on alternate days through March 15, with the semifinals set for March 18.

FULL SCHEDULE
(Kickoff times in U.S. Eastern; local times in parentheses)

FIRST ROUND
Group A
Cayman Islands
Costa Rica
Haiti
United States

Group B
Canada
Jamaica
Mexico
Panama

Wednesday, March 10
Haiti vs. United States, 6 p.m. (5 p.m.)
Costa Rica vs. Cayman Islands, 8:30 p.m. (7:30 p.m.)

Thursday, March 11
Panama vs. Mexico, 6 p.m. (5 p.m.)
Jamaica vs. Canada, 8:30 p.m. (7:30 p.m.)

Friday, March 12
United States vs. Cayman Islands, 6 p.m. (5 p.m.)
Costa Rica vs. Haiti, 8:30 p.m. (7:30 p.m.)

Saturday, March 13
Mexico vs. Jamaica, 6 p.m. (5 p.m.)
Panama vs. Canada, 8:30 p.m. (7:30 p.m.)

Sunday, March 14
Cayman Islands vs. Haiti, 1 p.m. (11 a.m.)
Costa Rica vs. United States, 3:30 p.m. (1:30 p.m.)

Monday, March 15
Jamaica vs. Panama, 7 p.m. (5 p.m.)
Canada vs. Mexico , 9:30 p.m. (7:30 p.m.)

SEMIFINALS
Thursday, March 18
(Order TBA)
Semifinal 1, 6 p.m. (4 p.m.)
Semifinal 2, 9 p.m. (7 p.m.)

FINALS
Saturday, March 20
Third-Place
Semifinal losers, 6 p.m. (4 p.m.)
Championship
Semifinal winners, 9 p.m. (7 p.m.)

NEW YORK

Concacaf

Leroux leads United States to U-20 Women’s title

January 31, 2010

Sydney Leroux scored her tournament-leading sixth goal with three minutes remaining to give the United States a 1-0 victory over Mexico on Saturday and its second CONCACAF Under-20 Women’s Championship crown.

It was the United States’ second victory in six days over its southern neighbor, finally subduing Mexico on a rapid attack out of the midfield.

Kristie Mewis sent a ball from the edge of the center circle down the left to Leroux. The UCLA forward outraced Bianca Sierra, took one touch and then beat Marylin Diaz before unleashing a left-footed strike from well outside the goal box that Mexican keeper Aurora Santiago was able to get her finger tips to but unable to stop.

“I was in absolute shock,” said Leroux describing her reaction. “I was so excited I put my hands in the air and ‘AAHHHH”, I screamed. It was the same excitement as when I scored in the World Cup.”

Leroux, the Golden Ball winner at the 2008 Under-20 Women’s World Cup, was a threat throughout the match, including putting a header off the foot of the left post in the 37th minute. She was fouled frequently and struggled to beat the offside trap until the goal.

The Americans won all five of its games in the 11-day tournament, outscoring its opponents 15-2.

Despite its loss, Mexico was the first team other than the United States or Canada to reach the final of the CONCACAF Championship and suffered two losses, both to the United States. It lost 2-1 on Monday in the Group B finale.

Both will head to the Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Germany along with third-place game winner Costa Rica, which qualified with its 1-0 victory over defending and two-time champion Canada earlier in the day.

The Americans had the possession and chances early, the best coming on Leroux’s header off the post from Toni Pressley’s free kick out of the midfield.

Charlyn Corral was again the focus of Mexico’s attack, testing the U.S. defense as early as the eighth minute.

Just before halftime, U.S. coach Jill Ellis inserted Teresa Noyola for Casey Short, and the Americans were much more dominant in the second half.

Mexico’s chances were largely limited to shots from distance, the best coming in the 53rd when Liliana Godoy’s free kick from 40 meters had to be tipped over the bar by leaping U.S. keeper Bianca Henninger.

But the United States continued to push forward, sending in Zakiya Bywaters who hit the side netting in the 54th and Vicky DiMartino’s shot high in the 64th.

GUATEMALA CITY

Concacaf

Tags: aurora, ball winner, Bianca Henninger, Bianca Sierra, Canada, Casey Short, champion canada, championship crown, charlyn corral, concacaf championship, Costa Rica, eighth minute, finger tips, game winner, Germany, guatemala city, hands in the air, Jill Ellis, kristie, Kristie Mewis, leroux, Liliana Godoy, marylin, Mexico, offside trap, place game, southern neighbor, SYDNEY, teresa noyola, Toni Pressley, U.S, United States, Vicky DiMartino, world cup in germany, Zakiya Bywaters

Mexico tops Canada in extra time to get to final

January 29, 2010

Mexico reached the final of the CONCACAF Under-20 Women’s Championship for the first time Thursday, beating Canada 1-0 in extra time when Canada goalkeeper Cynthia LeBlanc let a seemingly innocent corner kick slip through her hands.

LeBlanc appeared to easily have Corral’s inswinging corner covered, but the ball went through her hands, banged off her face and into the goal in the 104th minute. She lunged into the goal and slapped the ball away, but not before it crossed the line.

The result set up a Saturday final between Mexico and the United States, which won the earlier semifinal against Costa Rica. It will be the first time in the history of the CONCACAF Under-20 Women’s Championship Canada has not played the United States in the final.

The victory also earned Mexico a third straight trip to the World Cup in July in Germany and fourth overall.

“It would be a big step for Mexico to be champion in addition to reaching Germany,” captain Lydia Rangel said.

The two-time and defending CONCACAF Canada has qualified all four times for the Under-20 Women’s World Cup and has another chance to become one of CONCACAF’s three entrants when it faces Costa Rica in Saturday’s third-place game.

Mexico’s Sandra Mayor hit the post in the 73rd with the best chance for either team before extra time, dribbling across the top of the area until she reached the arc and unleashed a right-footed blast that banged off the left upright.

Mexico started out with the possession and chances for the first 10 minutes, but Canada took control and had the better of play for the remainder of the half. Julie Casselman’s header from Chelsea Stewart’s cross in the 40th was covered by Mexican keeper Aurora Santiago at the far post for the Canadians’ best chance.

Canada started the second half and had more possession and opportunities until about the 72nd. But Corral capitalized on a turnover to get off a quick shot from just inside the top of the area, and Mayor’s blast off the corner of the goal was the best chance for either side in the first 90 minutes.

The goal appeared to inspire Mexico, which had three good chances in the final 16 minutes. Corral put a header off a cross from Mayor just wide in the 110th and Corral also had the first of two consecutive shots in the 116th that LeBlanc stretched to parry wide.

GUATEMALA CITY

Concacaf

Tags: aurora, Canada, canadians, captain Lydia Rangel, casselman, CHELSEA, Chelsea Stewart, concacaf, Costa Rica, Cynthia LeBlanc, extra time, far post, Germany, Goalkeeper, guatemala city, Julie Casselman, lydia, Mexico, mexico and the united states, place game, possession, rangel, remainder, Sandra Mayor, Santiago, straight trip, turnover, United States, World Cup

Canada, United States head into semis as favorites

January 29, 2010

It looks like another North American grudge match could decide the CONCACAF Under-20 Women’s title.

Both the United States and Canada advanced to the semifinals unbeaten and untied through the group stage, dominating their opponents and only allowing one goal each in three games.

However, both have to get through the knockout semis on Thursday, which will be a repeat of two years ago in Mexico, when the United States beat Costa Rica 4-0, and Canada edged Mexico 2-1.

The United States will face Costa Rica in the first semifinal at 1:30 p.m. (2:30 p.m. U.S. Eastern) with Canada against Mexico following at 4:30 p.m. (5:30 p.m. U.S. Eastern).

“Costa Rica is an excellent team and I think it will be very challenging game for us,” U.S. coach Jill Ellis said. “We know they have some wonderfully skilled players and they play an attractive style so we are definitely going to have to be prepared. Hopefully, we’ll get our legs back with a couple of days of rest and then we’ll be ready to go.”

The United States has won two World Cups, but has lost to Canada two of the three times they faced off in the CONCACAF final.

The United States doesn’t want to appear like it’s looking past Costa Rica, realizing that a win Thursday qualifies it for the Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Germany in July.

“We’re excited to be in the semifinals,” said striker and co-captain Sydney Leroux, who leads all scorers with five goals. “We are definitely going to be ready and bring our ‘A’ game. That’s all I can ask of my teammates.”

With three teams qualifying for the World Cup, a semifinal loss won’t preclude a trip to Germany, but will require a victory in Saturday’s third-place game.

The United States has been, so far, the most impressive team, outscoring Jamaica, Trinidad and Mexico 12-1, allowing its only goal in second-half injury time of its finale against its southern neighbor.

“It’s fairly obvious that they are physically stronger than us,” Costa Rica coach Randal Chacon said. “They are strong and tall, but we have to take advantage of our strengths. We will work to maintain our shape when we don’t have the ball.”

Mexico and Costa Rica have split their two meetings in the third-place game, and Mexico may feel it’s time to avoid the uncertainty of World Cup qualification in a consolation match.

It benched forward Charlyn Corral, instrumental in El Tri’s victories over Trinidad and Jamaica, when Mexico played the United States. It apparently was looking to prevent her from picking up a second yellow card and having her miss the semifinals. Accumulated yellow cards are not waived after the first round.

“This is the most important game…we can’t keep anything in,” Corral said. “We have to give more than our 100 percent and we have to plat intelligently because we know that in the physical aspect, the height, and in the air battle we may have a disadvantage.”

Canada coach Carolina Morace feels her side has improved each game, but forward Adriana Leon noted she thinks the side needs to improve its finishing.

While the four semifinalists were not unexpected, the Caribbean’s three representatives teams went home disappointed – mostly notably Jamaica.

The “Reggae Girlz” – which reached the semifinals four years ago, returned to their country without a goal and having been outscored 9-0. Along with Cuba and Trinidad. the three Caribbean sides did not win any of the eight games against non-Caribbean opponents and finished with an aggregate goal difference of minus-18.

Conversely, Guatemala, which was playing in its first Under-20 Women’s Championship, managed a victory (over Cuba 2-1) and was the only team to score a goal against the defending and two-time champion Canadians.

GUATEMALA CITY

Concacaf

Tags: adriana, Canada, Caribbean, Carolina Morace, chacon, co captain, concacaf, Costa Rica, Cuba, Germany, group stage, grudge match, Guatemala, guatemala city, impressive team, injury time, Jamaica, Jill Ellis, knockout, Leon, leroux, Mexico, North American, place game, qualifying for the world cup, randal, semifinal loss, semis, skilled players, southern neighbor, three games, Tri, Trinidad, U.S, United States, world cup in germany, world cups

U.S. reaches CONCACAF U-20 Women’s final, returns to World Cup

January 29, 2010

The United States will return to the Under-20 Women’s World Cup to defend its title, qualifying with a 2-1 victory over Costa Rica on Thursday in the semifinals of the CONCACAF championship.

Kristie Mewis and Teresa Noyola scored second-half goals to send the United States to the World Cup for the fifth consecutive time, finally solving a defensive Costa Rica which lost central defender Marianne Ugalde midway through the first half after a collision with goalkeeper Priscilla Tapia.

Mewis put the United States ahead in the 60th and Noyola added the insurance 11 minutes later to seal the victory.

The United States will face Mexico in a rematch of Monday’s Group A finale won by the Americans 2-1, while Costa Rica will play Canada in the third place game for the last of CONCACAF’s three berths in the World Cup in Germany in July.

It was the second straight time the United States has beaten Costa Rica in the semifinals, having won 4-0 two years ago in Mexico.

Costa Rica had the better of play for the first 10 minutes, including Raquel Rodriguez Cedeno’s free kick from 30 meters that skipped off the top side of the crossbar in the fourth minute. But except for Katherine Alvarado’s free kick that smacked the left post in the 45th, the Ticas were defensive for most of the match.

The United States began to build possession and forced Tapia to tip a Jenna Richmond header on the right post in the 31st.

Rachel Quon sent a right-footed, bending ball toward the near post, where Mewis ran on to it, beat defender Paolo Alvarado and goalkeeper Priscilla Tapia and deflected it into the net from the top of the goal box.

After Daniela Cruz was yellow carded for tripping Sydney Leroux as the U.S. captain ran laterally across the top of the box, Noyola scored her second by hitting a 23-meter free kick over a five-player wall and just inside the left post.

Costa Rica pulled within a goal in the 77th the help of some fortuitous bounces. Ana Aguilar crossed a ball from the right that deflected off U.S. defender Toni Pressley and then Crystal Dunn before Vasquez Cedeno volleyed the bounding ball with her right from eight meters past U.S. keeper Bianca Henninger.

It was only the second goal allowed in four games by the United States, but the second in as many games having allowed a second-half injury time strike by Mexico in its final group match.

GUATEMALA CITY

Concacaf

Tags: aguilar, Ana Aguilar, berths, Bianca Henninger, Canada, cedeno, central defender, concacaf championship, Costa Rica, crossbar, daniela, fifth consecutive time, Germany, guatemala city, jenna, Jenna Richmond, Katherine Alvarado, Kristie Mewis, leroux, Marianne Ugalde, match, Mexico, midway, Paolo Alvarado, place game, Priscilla Tapia, quon, Rachel Quon, raquel, straight time, tapia, teresa noyola, Toni Pressley, U.S, United States, world cup in germany

Maradona: ‘I could only talk on phone with my players’

January 26, 2010

Diego Maradona returns to Argentina’s bench when they play Costa Rica on Tuesday. The Argentine legend found it hard to cope with his two-month ban. “I would not wish this on anyone.”

The friendly match against Costa Rica marks the end of Maradona’s ban. El Pelusa was banned from football for two months following controversial comments at a press conference after his team secured their place at the World Cup finals.

“It was very hard but it’s past and now I’m only thinking about the World Cup,” said Maradona. “Those two months were very painful.

“I asked FIFA if I could pay a fine with my money and not to distance me from the players but I couldn’t do absolutely anything, just speak to the players on the phone.

“I don’t wish it on anybody.”

Maradona has called up more than 90 players for 15 matches, eight of them World Cup qualifiers, since his first game in charge, a friendly against Scotland in Glasgow in November 2008.

“Of course I called up many, but I want to see them all.”

Tags: Argentina, Argentine, bench, controversial comments, Costa Rica, diego maradona, first game, friendly match, Glasgow, money, pelusa, scotland, world cup finals, world cup qualifiers

U.S. wears down Mexico 2-1

January 26, 2010

Sydney Leroux scored for a third consecutive match and the United States completed a perfect first round with a 2-1 victory over Mexico on Monday at the CONCACAF Under-20 Women’s Championship.

Vicky DiMartino scored the other goal for the United States, which finished atop Group B with a third win in as many games and earned a semifinal match against Group A runner-up Costa Rica on Thursday. Mexico finished with six points and will play Group A winner Canada in the other semifinal.

Leroux, which had a pair of goals against both Trinidad & Tobago and Jamaica, volleyed a rebound after second-half substitute Kristie Mewis launched a left-footed shot across the face of the goal and struck the far post. Leroux, streaking down the middle of the field, lunged and touched the ball at the six past an out-of-position Mexican keeper Aurora Santiago in the 65th.

DiMartino put the United States ahead in the 13th minute, running onto a backward ball from Teresa Noyola, taking one touch and hitting a 30-meter blast across goal and out of the reach of Aurora.

The United States had the better possession from the start but Mexico frustrated the Americans, catching them offside frequently and forcing shots wide and high.

Twice the Americans beat the trap in the first half, but Leroux and Tiffany McCarty both shot wide.

Mexico scored a consolation goal in the second minute of second-half injury time. Unmarked defender Alina Garciamendez leapt to head in Natalia Gomez-Junco’s corner kick, leaving Mewis behind the play.

Until that point, Mexico’s best chances came when Natalie Lagunas drove a right-footed shot from 22 meters in the 10th minute that U.S. keeper Bianca Henninger had to slap over the bar with one hand, and when it hit the post in the 73rd.

But for the most part, the United States played in Mexico’s end. Mexico played without Charlyn Corral, who was carrying a yellow card and was relegated to the substitute’s bench. Lydia Rangel, Mexico’s captain in the first two matches, did not enter until the 54th minute.

It was the fourth time the United States and Mexico have faced each other in the CONCACAF championship, with the Americans winning all three previous by a combined 12-0.

GUATEMALA CITY

Tags: Alina Garciamendez, aurora, bianca, Bianca Henninger, Canada, concacaf, consolation, corner kick, Costa Rica, dimartino, gomez junco, guatemala city, henninger, injury time, Jamaica, Kristie Mewis, lagunas, leroux, lydia, Lydia Rangel, Mexico, Natalia Gomez-, natalie, Natalie Lagunas, offside, rebound, semifinal match, six points, SYDNEY, teresa noyola, Tiffany McCarty, Tobago, Trinidad, U.S, United States, vicky, Vicky DiMartino, yellow card

Costa Rica beats Cuba 3-1 to reach semis

January 25, 2010

Costa Rica became the third team to reach the semifinals at the CONCACAF Under-20 Women’s Championship on Sunday, capitalizing on uncharacteristic gaffes by Cuban goalkeeper Lucylena Martinez to win 3-1.

The result gave Costa Rica six points and tied it with Canada atop Group A, pending the unbeaten North Americans’ later game against Guatemala. The United States and Mexico secured their places on Saturday.

Raquel Rodriguez Vasquez scored in the 18th minute, and Daniela Cruz and Ana Aguilar were the beneficiary of Martinez’s errors in the 44th and 83rd to give Las Ticas enough to prevail over Cuba, which lost its third straight and was eliminated. Cuba joined fellow Caribbean sides Trinidad and Jamaica, which were eliminated from contention in Group B on Saturday.

Cruz ran onto a ball 25 meters from goal after a corner kick pinged in the penalty area and was eventually deflected out. Her low strike bounced on the way in, and as Martinez went low to her left to grab it, she misplayed the ball as she was able to get her hands to it but let it slip through.

The goal gave Costa Rica a 2-1 lead and the Ticas spent much of the second half withstanding several thrusts by Cuba.

Costa Rica took the lead when Cruz’s ball into the area deflected off the head of Yoana Calderon, was headed on by Maria Moreira and bounced once in the penalty area. Rodriguez Vasquez beat a late arriving Martinez to the ball and headed it over her.

Cuba’s Yezenia Gallardo three times in the first half broke free down the right side on balls out of the back, and was able to convert the second one into a goal.

After shooting wide in the 20th minute, she outraced Marianne Ugalde, before attempting the lay the ball back into the area for an onrushing and unmarked Calderon. But Yocxelin Rodriguez was between them and the cross hit her ankle at the near post, deflecting past goalkeeper Priscilla Tapia for an own goal.

While Costa Rica had the better possession in the first half, Cuba was the more dominant team in the second half until Aguilar ended the threat. Katherine Alvarado sent a 23-meter free kick into the area that Martinez punched upward. The ball fell at the right post, where Aguilar raced in and touched into the goal.

GUATEMALA CITY

Tags: aguilar, Ana Aguilar, beneficiary, calderon, Canada, Caribbean, concacaf, contention, corner kick, Costa Rica, Cuba, gaffes, gallardo, Goalkeeper, Guatemala, guatemala city, las ticas, Maria Moreira, Marianne Ugalde, moreira, North Americans, possession, raquel, Raquel Rodriguez, six points, tapia, three times, Trinidad, ugalde, United States, win 3

Costa Rica nears semis with 3-0 win

January 23, 2010

Costa Rica capitalized on a pair of errors by Guatemala goalkeeper Yoselin Franco in the first half and won 3-0 Friday to put itself back in contention for a semifinal berth at the CONCACAF Under-20 Women’s Championship.

Friday’s results left Canada atop Group A and on the brink of the semifinals with six points, three more than Costa Rica and Guatemala. Cuba was virtually eliminated with its 2-0 loss to Canada earlier in the day.

Canada, which has won both games by a combined 3-0, will face Guatemala on Sunday, while Costa Rica will play winless Cuba.

Las Ticas controlled from the start and scored twice five minutes apart late in the first half to put themselves comfortably ahead. Mariane Ugalde’s free kick from just inside her own half floated toward the Guatemala penalty area beyond everybody, bounced once eight yards from goal and over the outstretched arms of Franco in the 35th minute.

From almost the same spot five minutes later, Fabiola Sanchez launched a long free kick that Franco slid to block. She only managed to make partial contact with the ball as defender Marilyn Rivera collided with her, sending the ball to the penalty spot where Paola Alvarado ran on to it, striking the ball with her first touch into an open net.

Guatemala, playing in its first CONCACAF Under-20 Women’s Championship, struggled to maintain possession in the Costa Rican half and rarely created anything remotely dangerous. Unlike its opening 2-1 victory over Cuba, Guatemala frequently was pinned in its own half, although had one promising opportunity waived off early for offside.

Costa Rica goalkeeper Priscilla Tapia also had to race 30 meters off her line in the 14th minute to disrupt a potential chance, but that was the best Guatemala could muster.

Costa Rica, which twice has missed out on qualifying for the Under-20 Women’s World Cup after losing the third-place game, continued their domination in the second half and added a penalty in the 60th. Raquel Rodriguez Vasquez earned the penalty when she outmuscled Vanessa Ovando along the right side of the penalty area and turned toward goal before being tripped.

Raquel Rodriquez Cedeno converted to virtually put the game out of reach.

GUATEMALA CITY

Concacaf

Tags: brink, concacaf, contention, Costa Rica, Cuba, domination, fabiola, Fabiola Sanchez, five minutes, Franco, free kick, Goalkeeper, Guatemala, guatemala city, marilyn rivera, offside, Paola Alvarado, place game, priscilla, Priscilla Tapia, promising opportunity, Raquel Rodriguez, Raquel Rodriquez, semifinal berth, six points, tapia, ugalde, Vanessa Ovando, World Cup, yoselin

Canada prevails over Cuba 2-0

January 23, 2010

Chelsea Stewart finally converted one of Canada’s numerous chances in the 59th minute and put the defending champion on the brink of the semifinals with a 2-0 victory over Cuba in the CONCACAF Under-20 Women’s Championship on Friday.

It was Canada’s second straight victory and put it atop Group A with six points, three better than Costa Rica and Guatemala. Canada needs only a draw on Sunday against Guatemala to advance.

It was Cuba’s second loss in as many games, vitrually ending its chances of advancing.

Three teams will qualify for the Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Germany in July.

Goalkeeper and captain Lucylena Martinez made numerous saves to frustrate Canada, which dominated possession but was repeatedly denied by the very active netminder.

Canada finally went ahead when Stewart capitalized on defensive flub by Yamara Lopez. Lopez tried to clear a long ball into the area but only managed to get a weak touch. It dropped it into the path of Stewart, who volleyed the ball with her left foot from just outside the area and sent it curling past Martinez inside the right post.

Jenna Richardson added the insurance in the 87th, heading a looping long cross from midfield by Laura Chenard off Martinez’s shoulder. The ball skipped off the left post before settling in the goal.

Except for one brief period in each half, Canada dominated, repeatedly testing the Cuban defense and forcing Martinez to block shots, punch away or grab crosses or come off her line to diffuse danger.

It started as early as the 15th minute when she had to race to the top of her penalty area to make a sliding block of a shot by Adriana Leon, and again in the 27th when she was forced to a leaping grab of Leon’s header after a misplayed ball by her defense.

She again raced off her line to thwart Leon in the 38th and pushed a header by Chloe Malette around the right post in the 51st.

After the goal, Martinez denied Stewart in the 61st, grabbing a header, and then blocked a shot by Christabel Oduro in the 63rd and punched away a rebound seconds later.

Cuba’s best chances came in a five-minute period midway through the first half and a lone foray in the 70th.

Canadian keeper Cynthia LeBlanc tipped Rachel Pelaez’s free kick over the bar in the 20th minute and Yezenia Gallardo, who had Cuba’s lone goal against Guatemala in Wednesday’s 2-1 loss, was able to get free in the box in the 25th to turn, but shot wide right.

Yoana Calderon, likewise, was able to get a turning shot in the 70th, but also shot wide.

Martinez kept the score from being lopsided, continuing her stellar performance to the end, pushing a free kick by Stewart over the bar in the 81st.

GUATEMALA CITY

Concacaf

Tags: 59th minute, adriana, Adriana Leon, Canada, CHELSEA, Chelsea Stewart, chenard, Chloe Malette, Christabel Oduro, concacaf, Costa Rica, crosses, Cuba, Cynthia LeBlanc, flub, Germany, Goalkeeper, Guatemala, guatemala city, Jenna Richardson, Laura Chenard, left foot, lopez lopez, malette, midfield, odur, possession, Rachel Pelaez, six points, Stewart, straight victory, world cup in germany, yamara

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