Dominican Republic – The United States are on their way to the 2024 FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup after a hard-fought 2-1 victory against Costa Rica in the semifinals of the 2023 Concacaf Women’s Under-20 Championship on Friday at the Estadio Olimpico Felix Sanchez in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
It will be the 11th U20 Women’s World Cup appearance for the U.S., who will look to defend their CWU20 title in Sunday’s Final against rivals Mexico.
Costa Rica will take on Canada in Sunday’s Third Place Match, with the winner earning the third and final World Cup ticket.
The Costa Rican defense kept the U.S. attack in check for a good part of the first half, but eventually the defending champions were able to pick the lock and give themselves a 1-0 lead in the 38’.
Jasmine Aikey fired in a free kick from just outside the top of the penalty area and the well-placed strike was able to beat Costa Rica GK Genesis Perez.
Perez kept her side within a goal at halftime thanks to saving a penalty from Leah Klenke, but the U.S. kept the momentum going into the second half and they were able to double their lead in the 48’.
An attempted clearance from the Costa Rica defense instead met the charging Lauren Martinho, who had the ball deflect right off her shin and ricochet into net for a 2-0 U.S. lead.
Costa Rica refused to back down and just minutes later in the 55’ they got back to within a goal at 2-1 when Veronica Matarrita ran onto a pass and charged into the U.S. area where she was fouled. Sheika Scott stepped up to take the penalty kick and calmly stroked it home for the goal.
Perez would make several big saves to keep the Ticas within a goal, but the U.S. were able to see things out in the end and secure their place in the Final.
