U.S. Win FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup
USA 1-0 Germany
Germany’s Women’s National Team had stormed through the FIFA U-20 World Cup going 5-0-0 and had outscored their opponents 15-0. That included a 3-0 thumping of the U.S. But even though the Americans had struggled in some matches during the tournament, including the worst match which was against Germany, the US put the past behind them and played their best match of the tournament, defeating Germany 1-0 on a goal scored in the 44th minute by Kealia Ohai.
The win gave the USA their third World Cup crown in this tournament’s history. The U.S. won the first-ever U-19 World Cup Final against Canada in 2002 and captured the 2008 U-20 World Cup against Korea DPR.
Ohai’s goal was started by right back Crystal Dunn who broke down the right flank, stalled, then with a burst of speed broke around Germany’s Annabel Jaeger and laid a cutback cross to the top of the box. Katie Stengel tried to break for the ball near post but wasn’t able to reach it which provided a decoy. Ohai, who was posted up at the top and center of the box, came sweeping in to finish the right-footed first time shot past German goalkeeper Laura Benkarth which was her first goal conceded in the tournament.
The US managed the game well and kept the Germans to 5 shots on goal, most coming late in the game with the US dropped back and bunkered in from the intense pressure. And when needed, smiling goalkeeper Bryane Heaberlin came up big for the U.S.
USA defender Julie Johnston was awarded the Bronze Ball for being voted the third most outstanding player in the tournament. Germany’s Dzsenifer Marozsan was the Golden Ball winner. Minnesota’s Kassey Kallman was on the bench for the victory.
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It looks like the US will have the highest ranked and top notch womens team in the world for a few generations to come!
All this, and the US does not have a pro league to place these very talented and gifted athletes as they mature. Kind of incredulous that USSF has done nothing to nurture, this unlike their nurturing of MLS, so that the USMNT was not in the same boat.
But after all, hey, it’s just women’s soccer now isn’t it…….
It’s taken me a little while to get around to it but I gotta give Swanson and our squad major props!!!
They managed to give two completely different performances againt the same job German squad that they had to go through twice to win their World Championship. They alsmot looked like a different sqwuad. Swanson had them playing much better, clearly better prepared for the Championship match.
All of the adjustments that they needed to make were executed well. Crystal Dunn had her best game of the tournament, Julie Johnston was excellent as anchor and field general–just what you look for from a player who’s wearing the captain’s armband. They did a much better job getting the ball to Maya Hayes’ feet so that she could run at the German defense.
Around the 71″ of the match, I told my duaghter to look at the Germans’ eyes because some of them were showing fear. They aren’t used to playing from behind–let alone in the championship match– and that was one thing that Maren Meinert couldn’t possibly teach them because that’s the sort of thing that you have to experience, firsthand.
Very well done by USA!!! It was a very happy Saturday morning in out home. It would be a a fantasitic year if our U-17′s can give us another global tournament championship this year by winining their World Cup.
USA and Germany are currently great teams at this level and surely the crowns will still be shared between the two teams for years to come. Great achievement.