ORLANDO, Florida – The 2016 CONCACAF U-15 Girls’ Championship launched Tuesday at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex with six games contested by teams in three of the five groups.

While the United States got off to a dream start with a 22-0 win over Trinidad & Tobago, two other encounters were decided by one goal or fewer and the other three outings were tightly contested. 

A five-goal performance by the USA’s Gabrielle Robinson made her the offensive star of the day, while Grenada goalkeeper Resheda Charles was outstanding against Nicaragua in a thrilling 1-1 draw.

Defending champion Canada was solid as usual, earning a 6-0 win over South American guest Venezuela.  Jayde Riviere and Teni Akindoju, each whom scored in the CONCACAF Under-17 Women’s Championship earlier this year, netted once apiece in the victory.

In the match of the day, Costa Rica outlasted Jamaica, 2-1.  Priscilla Chinchilla’s goal at the hour mark broke a 1-1 deadlock.

Play continues tomorrow with the Dominican Republic, El Salvador and St. Vincent & the Grenadines taking the field.  Also, not to be missed is a renewal of the rivalry between the U.S. and Mexico.

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2016 CONCACAF U-15 Girls’ Championship
ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex – Orlando, Florida, USA
Match Recaps – August 9, 2016

GROUP A

United States 22, Trinidad & Tobago 0
Samantha Meza (1’, 24’) struck for the first of her two goals in the first minute and the United States never looked back in a 22-0 win over Trinidad & Tobago.  Nine different Americans got on the scoresheet led by Gabrielle Robinson (13’, 22’, 31’, 32’, 67’), who netted a tournament-record five goals.  Jamaica’s Jody Brown held the previous mark of four in a 9-0 victory against Anguilla on August 9, 2014.  Payton Linnehan (49’, 59’, 63’) added three goals, all in the second half.  T&T conceded one own-goal in each half.

Mexico 2, Haiti 0
In one of the day’s hardest fought contests, Mexico edged 2014 runner-up Haiti, 2-0.  Alison Gonzalez (9’) scored early for the Tricolor, while Alejandra Diaz (59’) netted an insurance goal in the second half. 

 

GROUP B

Canada 6, Venezuela 0
Six different players accounted for the goals as Canada launched defense of its crown with a 6-0 win over Venezuela.  Aaliyah Scott (9’), Maya Ladhani (20’) and Jayde Riviere (31’) scored in the first half, while Julianne Vallerand (41’), Mya Jones (49’) and Teni Akindoju (61’) netted after the break.  With five substitutions, Canada featured 16 of their 18 players in the opening match. From that lineup, 10 players were making their international youth debuts.  Jones (1 goal) and Akindoju (2) also found the back of the net in the competition’s 2014 edition.

Costa Rica 2, Jamaica 1
In arguably the best match of the day, Priscilla Chinchilla scored in the 60th minute to give Costa Rica a 2-1 win over Jamaica.  The game-winning goal came when the Reggae Boyz were short a player, who was receiving treatment for an injury suffered just minutes earlier. Carmen Marin (12’) gave the Ticas a 1-0 lead on an effort from distance, while Shannia Harris (53’) equalized near the midpoint of the second half. 

 

GROUP C

Puerto Rico 4, St. Lucia 1
Puerto Rico scored all of its goals in the first half on the way to a 4-1 win over St. Lucia.  Isabelle Rivera (3’, 9’) netted a brace before 10 minutes had passed, while Thalia Perez (17’) and Yarelia Maldonado (28’) struck for a goal each.  St. Lucia looked more dangerous in the second half and was rewarded for its persistence with a well-taken goal by Krysan St. Louis (50’).

Nicaragua 1, Grenada 1
In an exciting encounter that left both teams happy at the final whistle, Nicaragua and Grenada played to a 1-1 stalemate.  After a scoreless first half, the chances became more plentiful.  The Grenadians, a side that contains many of the same players that hosted and competed in the 2016 CONCACAF Under-17 Championship, took a 1-0 lead thanks to a calm finish by Cassie Rennie (45’).  Four minutes later, the determined Nicaraguans equalized through Yorcelly Humphreys (49’).  It was the only draw of the day.