U20 WNT wraps up Nike Friendlies

by Travis Clark

December 15, 2019

A split squad of the U.S. Under-20 Women’s National Team finished its involvement at the 2019 Nike Friendlies on a high note.

Two teams of U20 eligible players each lined up to face France and Brazil respectively on Wednesday and Friday, with the latter day going much better than the former. Divided up into red and blue squads, in four games, the two U.S. teams combined for a 1-2-1 record.

Comprised of a mix of college and club players, Mark Carr oversaw the weeklong training camp as preparations for 2020 U20 World Cup qualifying continued in Florida. Four eligible players, Maycee Bell, Naomi Girma, Brianna Pinto and Sophia Smith, were tabbed for the full U.S. women’s national team ID camp that also took place last week.

Finishing up with two games on Friday, the red lineup drew 0-0 against Brazil, while first-half goals Alexa Spaanstra and Trinity Rodman were enough to help the U.S. beat France by a 2-1 score.

In the first two opening games of the Friendlies, both U20 teams saw defeat. The red lineup fell by a 2-0 score at the hands of France.

And the blue squad got off to a similarly poor start, going down by a 3-0 score against Brazil before the break. But the U.S. team showed life, getting quick goals from Summer Yates and Jenna Nighswonger to cut the lead down to 3-2. However, Brazil would score next and see out the 4-2 victory.

49' | GOAL 🇺🇸

Summer Yates shoots a 🚀 to the back of the net and gets the U-20 #USWNT started!

3-1 | #NikeFriendlies pic.twitter.com/lMhPB2vLYr
— U.S. Soccer YNT (@USYNT) December 12, 2019

The Concacaf U20 Championship is slated to kick off on February 15 in the Dominican Republic. The United States have been drawn into Group C with Honduras, Dominican Republic and Cuba.

Dec. 11

U.S. Red Lineup vs. France: Angelina Anderson, Smith Hunter, Cassandra Hiatt, Dilary Heredia Beltran, Sakura Yoshida, Zoe Hasenauer, Quincy Mc Mahon, Anna Podojil, Katelyn Duong, Samantha Kroeger, Sydny Nasello

U.S. Blue Lineup vs. Brazil: Julia Dohle; Alexa Spaanstra, Jenna Nighswonger, Shae Holmes, Emily Mason, Natalia Staude, Astrid Wheeler, Trinity Rodman, Summer Yates, Bria Schrotenboer, Rebecca Jarrett

Dec. 13

U.S. Red Lineup vs. Brazil: Meagan McClelland; Katelyn Duong, Smith Hunter, Cassandra Hiatt, Avery Lockwood, Dilary Heredia Beltran, Sakura Yoshida, Quincy Mc Mahon, Anna Podojil, Samantha Kroeger, Sydny Nasello

U.S. Blue Lineup vs. France: Julia Dohle; Jenna Nighswonger, Shae Holmes, Emily Mason, Alexa Spaanstra, Trinity Rodman, Summer Yates, Talia Della Peruta, Bria Schrotenboer, Mykiaa Minniss, Rebecca Jarrett

45+2' | GOAL 🇺🇸

Mere SECONDS before halftime Trinity Rodman extends the U-20 #USWNT's lead to 2️⃣ goals‼️

2-0 | 🇺🇸 #NikeFriendlies pic.twitter.com/nnC4ZbRNOd
— U.S. Soccer YNT (@USYNT) December 14, 2019