Jessica Rostedt (Kent, Ohio), a long-time member of the Internationals Soccer Club and a freshman forward at the University of Virginia, has clinched a roster spot on the US U20 Women’s National Team. The U20s will attempt to qualify the USA for the 2006 FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Championship via the CONCACAF Women’s U-20 Final Qualifying Tournament, being held in Mexico from Jan. 18-27, 2006. The top three finishers in the tournament will advance to the world championship being held in Russia from Aug. 16-Sept. 2, 2006.

Rostedt and the U20 Pool just completed a week of training at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California. They gained valuable experience playing games against the Full WNT and teams made up of local college stars. The pool of players was paired down to 20 at the end of the week. Rostedt is one of four forwards on the 20-woman roster and also has the ability to play outside midfield.

Rostedt has been a member of the US Soccer program for the past five years at the U14, U16, U17, and U19 levels. In 2004, she was an integral part of the US U19 team which won a bronze medal in the U19 World Championships in Thailand.

Rostedt recently finished her first season in the collegiate ranks. During the fall 2004 season, she led the University of Virginia in scoring and helped them to a Sweet Sixteen appearance in the NCAA tournament. She earned a number of post-season awards including ACC Freshman of the Year, Soccer Buzz Freshman All-American and was one of 12 finalists for Soccer Buzz Freshman Player of the Year.

Congratulations and best wishes to Jessica and the US U20s as they embark on this amazing journey.

For more info and US U20 updates, visit: www.ussoccer.com