Posted on February 29, 2012

The CONCACAF Under-20 Women’s Championship starts Thursday in Panama City, Panama, and the eight participants are finalizing their rosters and completing preparations.

Defending champion United States announced its roster last week. Coach Steve Swanson will rely on 2010 U-20 World Cup veterans Crystal Dunn, Maya Hayes, Sam Mewis and Mollie Pathman.

Mexico coach Roberto Medina will call on five senior national team members, each of whom played at last month’s CONCACAF Women’s Olympic qualifying tournament in Vancouver. Goalkeeper Cecilia Santiago and midfielder Nayeli Rangel are the players to watch.

Guatemala coach Benjamin Monterroso has called in six players who played in the Olympic qualifying tourney. Maria Monterroso, the coach’s daughter, will look to expand on her performance in Vancouver, where she scored two goals. Monterroso also tallied four goals in U-20 Central American qualifying.

Jamaica will travel to Panama with a roster that includes six players from U.S. colleges. Kimberly Spence (Auburn University) and Chinyelu Asher (Purdue University) are expected to be key performers. Canadian high school student Taylor Grant is has made the roster.

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Categories: Caribbean, Central America, CONCACAF, Guatemala, Jamaica, Mexico, North America, Panama, U.S.A., Women, Youth
Tags: Benjamin Monterroso, Cecilia Santiago, CONCACAF women's Olympic qualifying tournament, Crystal Dunn, Maria Monterroso, Maya Hayes, Mollie Pathman, ONCACAF Under-20 Women’s Championship, Roberto Medina, Sam Mewis, Steve Swanson

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