U.S. U20 WNT rolls into Concacaf semifinals

by Travis Clark

March 9, 2022

The U.S. Under-20 Women’s National Team continued its strong run at the Concacaf Championship, defeating Haiti by a 6-0 score in the quarterfinals.

Six different goal scorers ensured that the U.S. wouldn’t be thwarted by a Haitian side that looked to sit in and frustrate the high-flying U.S. attack. Emily Mason opened the scoring in the first half, the only goal in the first 45 minutes. But the U.S. roared into action in the second half, as Alyssa Thompson, Simone Jackson, Talia DellPeruta, Avery Patterson and Michelle Cooper all notched goals.

Facing a low defensive block from Haiti, a set piece goal provided the early breakthrough for the United States in the eighth minute. A quality corner kick in from Olivia Moultrie found Mason near the back post just outside the six-yard box, and the Rutgers defender headed home the game’s first goal.

While the Haitian defensive dug in, the U.S. was still able to find gaps and space in the wide spaces. Jackson and Thompson were often running onto passes on the flanks, while Cooper also drifted into dangerous positions.

Haiti had a dangerous chance in the 18th minute, when Mia Justus was adjudged to have picked up a back pass from Bailey Rouse. A shot at the top of the box was blocked, however.

Five minutes into the second half, Cooper slipped in a beautiful ball for Thompson, who slotted home the second goal of the game. In the 56th minute, Cooper had a chance to add a third, but she put her penalty wide after she was taken down in the box.

🍿 Watch all the best plays of the @USYNT 🇺🇸 victory against @fhfhaiti 🇭🇹! 📺#CWU20 #WeBelong pic.twitter.com/Lf99crKHvJ
— Concacaf W (@ConcacafW) March 8, 2022

Jackson made it a 3-0 game, running onto a ball off the back from defender Lilly Reale, and the U.S. added three more in the final 15 minutes of the game. DellaPeruta converted a penalty in the 78th minute after Thompson was fouled in the box to add to the lead, before Patterson cleaned up a goalmouth scramble. Cooper rounded out the scoring in stoppage time, finishing a cross from Trinity Byars that was flicked on by Patterson.

The U.S. attack has scored 40 goals through five games in the Concacaf Championship and conceded none. Next up is a semifinal matchup against Puerto Rico, and a win there secures a spot at this year’s U20 World Cup in Costa Rica.

U.S. lineup: Mia Justus; Elaine Rouse (Ayooluwapo Oke), Emily Mason, Lilly Reale (Lauren Flynn), Samar Guidry; Alexis Missimo (Emily Colton), Olivia Moultrie, Talia DellaPeruta; Simone Jackson (Avery Patterson), Michelle Cooper, Alyssa Thompson (Trinity Byars)