Jillian Ellis’ U20 Women’s National Team had already qualified for the FIFA U20 World Cup by virtue of its 2-1 win over Costa Rica in the semifinal of the CONCACAF Qualifying Tournament.

The team still had a final match to play against rivals Mexico however, and despite having beaten El Tri in the group stage, the group played in Saturday’s final like it wanted a tournament championship as well.

The Mexicans caused the U.S. a few problems, and as a result I noticed central defenders Crystal Dunn of Albertson SC (North Carolina recruit) and Toni Pressley (Florida State) a bit more than I had in the previous matches. Both players cleared their lines well and Pressley I noticed got involved farther up the field, starting U.S. attacks with good distribution in the 1st half.

Ellis had made three changes in the starting lineup, and Portland’s Kendall Johnson performed well in her role as left back for the day. North Carolina’s Amber Brooks was good at midfielder and later at center back, especially in the defensive half of the field.

Victoria DiMartino came on at left back midway through the 2nd half and once again looked very composed on both sides of the ball. Teresa Noyola played just over a half and was more involved than usual in the thick of the midfield battles, as well as showing her dangerous qualities on the ball in the forward third.

UCLA’s Zakiya Bywaters provided some zip in the forward end with her feet, and she also showed some considerable ball skills, reminiscent of youth days gone by with Slammers and Neusport FC in Las Vegas. Santa Clara goalkeeper Bianca Henninger was again good in organizing the defense and pulled off one highlight-reel save on a well-taken free kick from Mexico.

The key trio for the U.S. team however was undoubtedly Kristen Mewis, Christine Nairn and scorer of the winning goal, Sydney Leroux.

UCLA’s Leroux put on a heroic effort at forward, running her socks off for 90 minutes, sacrificing her body on a number of 50/50 balls and then scoring a cracking goal from a sharp angle in the match’s closing minutes.

It was Boston College midfielder Kristen Mewis who played the ball that put Leroux in on goal for the winner. Mewis was very lively for the 2nd straight match, running with the ball and doing a good job of helping the team keep possession with good touches and passes throughout. Penn State’s Nairn was not quite as involved as she had been earlier, in part because of being singled out for some rough treatment from the opposition, but she was still a key hub and link in the middle of the park.

The big event begins in mid-July in Germany. The U.S. team is expected to have training camps, probably in Florida or California, at least once a month from now until then.