Dominican Republic’s CMU20 heads up youth tournament stories

MIAMI, Florida – Football in the Dominican Republic continues to grow and no doubt the country’s Men’s Under-20 National Team’s qualification for the 2024 Paris Olympics during the 2022 Concacaf Men’s Under-20 Championship stands to play a key role to further developing the sport in the Caribbean nation.

As part of Concacaf’s countdown of the best 22 moments from 2022 in the region, here are the top stories from the various youth tournaments.

Dominican Republic punch ticket to Paris

For the first time in their history, the Dominican Republic will participate in the Olympics after qualifying for Paris 2024 thanks to their runner-up finish in the 2022 CMU20. It is a landmark achievement for a national team program that seems to grow and improve with each year.

Just reaching the CMU20 was an amazing development for the Caribbean side, as they needed two goals in the final six minutes to get a 2-2 draw with Saint Lucia on the final matchday of CMU20 Qualifying to book their spot in the Championship.

By virtue of winning their CMU20Q group, the Dominican Republic advanced directly to the Round of 16, where they emerged victorious 5-4 in a wild affair with El Salvador. They then followed that up with a 1-0 win over Jamaica to clinch their spot in the 2023 FIFA Men’s Under-20 World Cup and then a penalty shootout wins against Guatemala to secure their place at Paris 2024. It was far from easy, as the Caribbean side had to rally from a 2-0 second half deficit against the Chapines to force the shootout.

Guatemala, Dominican Republic advance to U-20 World Cup

Not only was their Olympic qualification a historical achievement, but the Dominican Republic also qualified for their first World Cup at any age level when they defeated Jamaica in the quarterfinal round of the CMU20.

One of the many heroes of the group was Angel Montes De Oca, who had a brace in the Round of 16 victory over El Salvador and then scored the lone goal against the Reggae Boyz to send the Dominican Republic to next year’s U20 World Cup in Indonesia.

Guatemala qualified for their second U20 Men’s World Cup and first since 2011 thanks in large part to the heroics of GK Jorge Moreno.

The Chapines’ shot-stopper saved a penalty during regulation versus Canada in the Round of 16 (1-1, 4-3 in PKs), and then once again saved a penalty deep into the second half of the quarterfinal against Mexico to keep his team tied at 1-1. He then followed that up with three saves in the spot kicks to lead his side to a 2-1 shootout win, which qualified Guatemala for next year’s tournament in Indonesia.

Costa Rica host FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup

A World Cup was celebrated in the Concacaf region in 2022, as Costa Rica played host to the 2022 FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup, held August 10-28.

The event was a great success, with 16 teams from six different confederations competing across two venues: The Estadio Nacional in San Jose and the Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto in Alajuela.

The host nation also delivered one of the best moments of the entire tournament when Costa Rica’s Alexandra Pinell fired in a free kick from distance in the Ticas’ opening match against Australia.

Spain defeated Japan 3-1 in the Final.

United States, Nicaragua the winners of the Girls’ Under-15 Championship

Of the many tournaments played in the Concacaf region in 2022, one of the standout events was the Concacaf Girls’ Under-15 Championship.

Played in Tampa Bay, Florida from July 31-August 7, 32 teams participated across two different leagues, League A and League B, to offer a glimpse at who will be some of the future stars in women’s football in the Concacaf region.

The United States won their third straight crown, defeating Canada in the League A Final, 4-1. Kennedy Fuller of the U.S. took home honors as the tournament’s Best Player, while Gabriella Quezada of the US Virgin Islands finished as the Top Scorer with nine goals.

Nicaragua were winners of League B after posting a 3-1 win versus Aruba in the League B Final. Goals from Dania Orozco, Veronica Navarrete and Arely Marin helped deliver the triumph for the Pinoleras.