U.S., Canada punch tickets to League A Final

MIAMI, Florida – The United States and Canada are on their way to the Final of League A after semifinal wins on Friday at the 2022 Concacaf Girls’ Under-15 Championship in Tampa, Florida.

The U.S. will be able to defend their title after downing the Dominican Republic 6-0. Ashlyn Puerta and Kennedy Fuller each had a brace, while Kimmi Ascanio and Abby Ballek chipped in with scores.

The U.S. will take on North American rivals Canada in the Final after Canada edged Mexico 6-5 in a penalty shootout following a 0-0 draw. Canada converted their final five attempts to claim the shootout win.

Also in action in League A on the day were Wales and Puerto Rico. Sienna Aviles gave the Boricuas an early lead, but Wales found a late 1-1 equalizer and then emerged victorious 3-1 in a penalty shootout.

The other match in League A saw Costa Rica score two goals in six minutes to down Jamaica, 2-0. Esther Espinoza and Tanisha Fonseca supplied the goals for the Ticas.

Saturday will mark a big day in League B, with a champion to be crowned in the Final between Nicaragua and Aruba. 

Aruba outscored opponents 13-2 on their way to a 2W-1D-0L record in the group stage and then followed that up with an impressive 1-0 win over Martinique in the semifinals.

Nicaragua were just as effective in the group stage, outscoring opponents 12-1 while accumulating seven points from their three games. The Pinoleras then edged Honduras 4-3 in a penalty shootout following a 2-2 draw in the semifinals to reach Saturday’s Final.

In action as well on Saturday in League B will be the third-place match between Martinique and Honduras.