U.S. aims for fourth consecutive CU20W crown

Ashley Sanchez (pictured) had two goals and an assist in the USA's win over host Honduras in the CONCACAF Under-20 Women's Championship semifinals on December 11, 2015, in San Pedro Sula. (Photo: Mexsport) SAN PEDRO SULA, Honduras -- If you looked at the scoreboard exclusively, the United States’ 7-0 win over Honduras in the 2015 CONCACAF Under-20 Women’s Championship semifinals may have appeared to be a lopsided affair. At closer inspection, however, a different story unfolds. Through the first half an hour, the United States worked hard to dissect the host’s defense. Once that finally occurred -- courtesy of some Ashley Sanchez magic in the 33rd minute -- the Americans took the boisterous home crowd out of the game and started to roll. The outstanding Mallory Pugh doubled the lead shortly afterwards and Sanchez struck again to give the U.S. a 3-0 advantage heading into halftime. Four second-half goals later, the Americans earned a berth to an eighth straight FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup and a place in Sunday’s final against Canada, which required penalty kicks to overcome Mexico in the other semifinal. “We were conscious coming into this game with Honduras, their ability to counter-attack. It’s something that we felt we had to be extremely prepared for,” said U.S. head coach Michelle French. “Because they are so well-coached on the defensive side of the ball, particularly in that first 30 or 35 minutes, they were very successful at their game plan and we struggled at time to break them down.” With a meeting against the Canadians and their impressive defense looming, the three-time defending champion Americans should expect a stiff test from a team that has yet to concede a goal through four games in this competition. “The fact that we get to play in a final against Canada is a bonus, so hopefully the energy and the excitement of the moment can give us enough momentum to continue to play a little bit better with each game as we have through the tournament,” French finished. “The U.S. and Canada is always an exciting game.” In four previous CU20W encounters between them, the U.S. and Canada have posted two wins apiece. Each game was decided by one goal.