CONCACAF Championship: U20s Win Again

Canada won 2:0 over group opponent Cuba at the 2010 CONCACAF Women’s Under-20 Championship. The team counted second-half goals from Chelsea Stewart and Jenna Richardson while goalkeeper Cynthia Leblanc picked up her second clean sheet of the tournament. The win puts Canada within a point of advancing to the semi-final stage of this year’s championship.

After squandering numerous opportunities in the first half, captain Chelsea Stewart buried home the first goal of the match in the 59th minute. She was in the right place at the right time to put the ball into the top right corner of the net.

Finally 28 minutes later, Jenna Richardson afforded Canada the breathing room with the second goal of the match. Laura Chénard’s shot in was tipped by Richardson before it bounced innocently off the post and into the net.

It was Canada’s second-straight victory at the 2010 CONCACAF Women’s Under-20 Championship, pushing the team into first place in the four-team group. A win or draw on Sunday against Guatemala will qualify Canada for the semi-final stage.

“We improved from the first game, but we have to improve more,” said national coach Carolina Morace. “We didn’t see the same mistakes from the first game. When we have the opportunity to score, however, we have to take advantage.”

After a slow start against Costa Rica, Canada came out flying against Cuba with its first good chance in the second minute. Striker Adriana Leon pushed the defence back and created a chance for Stewart, but Stewart’s shot was high. Canada continued to push forward for the opening minutes, but eventually became frustrated as it failed to build the offence. Cuba pushed back and created a few chances of its own, but neither team was able to find the back of the net.

In the second half, Canada came out strong again and nearly made it 1-0 in the 51st minute. Chloé Malette have a chance when she headed the ball almost on target, but the ball hit the outside of the post and stayed on. Eight minutes later, Stewart finally made it 1-0.

Cuba had a terrific chance in the 70th minute after Canada gave up too much space to the advancing opponent. Cuba strode into the 18-yard box and fired a shot that was blocked by the Canadian defence. There was a second chance on the rebound, but the ball stayed out.

Richardson’s goal in the 87th minute ensured the Canadian victory. Cuba had another good chance in the 90th minute, but Leblanc preserved the clean sheet. Leblanc had the help of defenders Bryanna McCarthy, Shannon Woeller, Bahar Sansar and Vanessa Legault-Cordisco.