College players called up to qualifying

by Travis Clark

January 24, 2020

Olympic qualifying begins on Tuesday, January 28 for the eight women’s teams in Concacaf, with two spots up for grabs at the 2020 games in Tokyo.

Women’s college players from last fall will once again have the opportunity to compete – some heading back for school later this year, others having just finished their eligibility during the 2019 season.

College players did feature at least year’s World Cup, and with Concacaf sides ready to begin the march towards Tokyo, several have been tabbed again.

Canada is obviously well stocked by top college programs. Jessie Fleming, having just finished her senior season at UCLA, is the most common name to know. Joining Fleming on the qualifying roster is a quartet of four players that should return to school in the fall. Julia Grosso has been an impressive player at Texas over her past two seasons, while Gabrielle Carle is a defensive anchor at Florida State. Jayde Riviere (Michigan and Deanne Rose (Florida) round out the group of college players.

No nation will have more college players on the roster than Jamaica. Rising UNC Wilmington senior Sydney Schneider, who made waves in France last summer with some strong displays in goal. She’ll need to replicate that form once again, if Jamaica’s to be able to shock the region and secure one of the top two spots.

A quartet of players that just finished their final season of eligibility are also included. Konya Plummer (UCF) and Chantelle Swaby (Rutgers) made the roster and will bolster the back line. The pair was just drafted to NWSL teams: the former grabbed by the Orlando Pride, the latter by Sky Blue FC. Gabrielle Farrell just played her final season at Liberty, scoring 10 goals and notching two assists. Tiernny Wiltshire played with Swaby at the Scarlet Knights in the fall. Vanderbilt defender Madiya Harriott, a starter in 15 of 21 games in 2019, rounds out the roster.

With Jessie Fleming have played her final season of eligibility, Texas A&M midfielder/defender Jimena Lopez could be assume the mantle of best college player competing in the international game. A dynamic winger, she can also play as a left back, and will be a key for Mexico. TCU’s Emily Alvarado is in the mix to start in goal.

A starter in her two seasons for Prairie View A&M, Quinn Josiah was tabbed for the St. Kitts & Nevis roster. She earned Second Team All-Conference honors in the SWAC, leading her program to the NCAA tournament for the first time in history.

Named to the Atlantic 10 All-Rookie squad after the 2019 season, Danielle Etienne returns to the Haiti full national team, where she’ll anchor the midfield. Division II Gabriela Villagrand was called up to Panama as well, after completing her junior season at Angelo State.