The U.S. Under-20 Women’s National Team rallied for two late goals to defeat Canada, 3-2, and win the CONCACAF U-20 Women’s Final Qualifying Tournament. Canada had a 2-1 lead in the 61st minute, but the U.S. team battled for an equalizer by substitute Jessica Rostedt (Kent, Ohio) in the 72nd minute. The U.S. then got the game-winner from Lauren Cheney with eight minutes remaining. Rostedt is a long-time member of the Internationals Soccer Club and a freshman forward at the University of Virginia.

The U.S. U20s, along with the other top 3 finalists, Canada and Mexico, have qualified the USA for the 2006 FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Championship Russia from Aug. 16-Sept. 2, 2006. The U.S. U-20s will have numerous training camps and games over the next six months to prepare for the world championship.

The U20s went undefeated in the qualifying tournament. Rostedt was a threat offensively, scoring 3 goals and contributing 1 assist throughout the tournament. She was named “ussoccer.com Woman of the Match” for her two-goal performance versus El Salvador.

U.S. U20 Results - CONCACAF Qualifying Tournament:

Group Play:
January 19, 2006: Defeated Jamaica 4-1
January 21, 2006: Defeated Surinam 4-0
January 23, 2006: Defeated El Salvador 5-0

Semi-Finals:
January 25, 2006: Defeated Mexico 3-0

Finals:
January 27, 2006: Defeated Canada 3-2

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.

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