History can and does sometime repeat itself!
Mexico eliminated a heavily favored U.S. WNT in the semifinals of the CONCACAF Championship in Montego Bay, Jamaica. It came in a 4-2 penalty kick shootout after the two teams played to a 1-1 draw.
Like 2010 when the U.S. team went unscored on and unbeaten in group play, only to be eliminated by Canada on penalty kicks, this U.S. team will not advance to next year’s FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
The U.S. had advanced to the semifinals without allowing a goal in shutting out Trinidad & Tobago (8-0), Guatemala (7) and Canada (2-0). Because Costa Rica will host the World Cup next year, our region got only two berths in the tournament.
Canada, a 5-0 winner over Jamaica in the other semifinal, gets the second berth, and will play Mexico for the regional title. The U.S. will now play Jamaica for third place.
The U.S. had beaten Mexico three times earlier this year. The Mexican team included eight U.S.-based players, five from Texas and three from California. Five Mexican-American’s were in the starting lineup for Mexico.
Mexico shocked the U.S. on an early goal from Briana Woodall of Texas Rush. The U.S. equalized on a goal by Madison Haley later in the half as the teams were deadlocked 1-1 at intermission.
The U.S. had much of the play in the second half, but could not find the game-winner. In the shootout, Mexico made all four of its kicks, while Emily Alvarado, who also plays for the Texas Rush, saved kicks by Taylor Raciopi (1st kick) and Zoe Morse (4th kick).
It is interesting to note that over four CINCACAF U-17 Women’s championships, going back to 2008, the U.S. has never lost a game on the field (twice eliminated on semifinal PKs) and has outscored opponents 103-3. Despite that dominanace, the U.S. has only won the regional championship twice, in 2008 and in 2012.