MIAMI, Florida – The group stage of the 2024 Concacaf W Gold Cup wrapped up on Wednesday night.
There were many excellent individual performances over the course of the last week-and-a-half, yet these 11 players stood out the most at their respective positions.
Goalkeeper
Sydney Martinez, Puerto Rico – Puerto Rico came within a whisker of reaching the quarterfinals, thanks in large part to Martinez’s heroics. After registering a clean sheet in the 1-0 Prelims win in Haiti, Martinez would go on to make 17 saves and six clearances in the group stage, allowing just four goals.
Defenders
Rafaelle, Brazil – The left back contributed at both ends for Brazil, scoring a goal and completing 92 percent of her passes, while also making two steals and two clearances.
Kadeisha Buchanan, Canada – Canada finished the group stage with a perfect record thanks in large part to Buchanan, who was an anchor on a back line that allowed no goals in the three games. Buchanan had two steals, three clearances and a goal.
Karen Luna, Mexico – Luna was tireless for El Tricolor, especially in the historic 2-0 win against the United States. Overall, she started all three games for Mexico, scored a goal versus the Dominican Republic and collected an assist against the U.S.
Midfielders
Jessie Fleming, Canada – Fleming always shines bright in big Concacaf matches and the group stage was no different. In three games and 194 minutes, she made six steals, took three shots, contributed an assist and completed over 87 percent of her passes.
Priscila Chinchilla, Costa Rica – The Ticas advanced to the knockout round thanks in part to Chinchilla, who scored both goals in the 2-0 win versus El Salvador. She also had five steals.
Duda Santos, Brazil – Duda Santos got Brazil off to a rocking start by scoring a late winner against Puerto Rico in her team’s opening match. She would go on to collected a steal and make a clearance in 175 minutes of action.
Jacqueline Ovalle, Mexico – Ovalle scored a goal that will forever live in Mexican football lore when she chipped over two defenders for the opening score in Mexico’s 2-0 win over the U.S. She finished the group stage with three goals from seven shots and had two assists to go along with a steal and clearance.
Forwards
Jaedyn Shaw, United States – The 19-year-old Shaw pocketed Group Stage On The Rise honors for her performance for the U.S. She scored two goals in the 4-0 win versus Argentina and also had a steal.
Maria Usme, Colombia – Usme was seemingly in the mix of every Colombia goal. She completed 75 percent of her passes, while scoring two goals and contributing three assists. Defensively, Usme also had a steal and a clearance.
Adriana Leon, Canada – Leon finished the group stage as the leading scorer in the tournament with five goals. She bagged a brace in the opener against El Salvador and then notched a hat-trick against Paraguay. She also had two assists and was a clear choice for the Group Stage Game-Changer.
