CARSON, California – The first game of the Prelims of the 2024 Concacaf W Gold Cup was one for the books, as Guyana and the Dominican Republic faced each other for the first time on Saturday afternoon at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California, with the Dominican Republic clinching a spot in the Group Stage after a 1-0 win.
Both teams started strong, with the Dominican Republic having the first shot on target after the Guyana defenders left the ball rolling in the area in the 6’, only for Guyana GK Chante Sandiford stopping the attack.
A dangerous header from DF Brianne Reed in the 9’ almost opened the scoring for the Dominican Republic, as Sandiford once again made the stop.
The first big chance from Guyana came in the 17’, with FW Shanice Alfred controlling a cross and shooting for the lower left corner. Dominican Republic GK Paloma Pena was ready and made the first save for her team.
The Dominican Republic finally found the back of the net in the 55’ when FW Kathrynn Gonzalez received a ball from a corner kick, sending a blast from outside the box, giving her team the 1-0 lead.
¡Kathrynn González abre el marcador del partido con un GOLAZO! 🇩🇴 🔥 pic.twitter.com/ldDeXlgtG8
— W Gold Cup (@GoldCup) February 17, 2024
The Dominicans tried to add to their lead, almost doing so in the 74’ when Jaylen Vallecillo received the ball on the left side, but her shot was denied once again by Sandiford to keep Guyana within a goal.
The day belonged to the Dominican Republic, though, as they kept control of the game, finishing strong to advance to Group A, in which they will face the United States, Mexico and Argentina, beginning with the U.S. on Tuesday evening.
