SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic – The United States and Mexico are on their way to the 2020 FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica and Panama after posting semifinal victories on Friday in the 2020 Concacaf Under-20 Women’s Championship at the Estadio Olimpico Felix Sanchez in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
The U.S. started the day’s action and used a quick start to ride to a 6-0 triumph over hosts Dominican Republic.
Brianna Pinto scored a hat trick, with two goals inside the first five minutes in the 2’ and 4’. Trinity Rodman stretched the lead to 3-0 in the 16’ before Pinto notched her hat trick in the 41’ to give the U.S. a 4-0 halftime lead.
Mia Fishel then scored her 11th goal of the tournament in the 57’ before Rodman completed her brace in the 62’ to cap off the 6-0 scoreline.
In the nightcap, Mexico squeezed past Haiti 4-2 in a penalty shootout following a hard-fought 1-1 draw between the two sides.
The Caribbean nation was first to score, and it was no surprise that came from 16-year-old MF Melchie Dumornay, who tallied her tournament-leading 14th goal in the 56’ via free-kick to give Haiti a 1-0 lead.
But Mexico would respond and pulled level 1-1 in the 68’ when a looping shot from Joseline Montoya found the back of the net.
Things had to be settled in penalty kicks, and a missed attempt from Haiti’s Dayana Pierre sealed the World Cup clinching victory for El Tricolor.
The U.S. and Mexico will square off for 2020 CU20W honors in Sunday’s Final, with the U.S. seeking their fifth crown and Mexico their second straight title.
