The U.S. women keep accomplishing what the U.S. men cannot. On Friday in Ato Bodon Stadium, the exact same location of the USMNT’s capitulation to Trinidad and Tobago to miss out on the 2018 World Cup three months ago, the U-20 USWNT booked its trip to the 2018 U-20 Women’s World Cup with a win over Haiti.
The U.S. women won 3-0 in a penalty-kick shootout after a 1-1 draw in regulation against a well-drilled Haiti in the semifinals of the CONCACAF Women’s U-20 Championship, hosted by Trinidad and Tobago. The U.S. will play either Mexico or Canada in the final on Sunday at 5 p.m. ET.
Ato Bodon Stadium, a 10,000-seat venue in Cuova, Trinidad and Tobago, was host to the Oct. 10 Men’s World Cup qualifier between the U.S. and the Soca Warriors. You may remember it: The U.S. just needed a draw to qualify for Russia but lost 2-1 to stunningly be knocked out of the competition for the first time since 1986.
The U.S. U-20 women, meanwhile, had no problem grinding out a result at Ato Bodon Stadium. And grind it out they did. Haiti, in the semifinals of the competition for the first time ever, had some of the best opportunities of the match and forced U.S. keeper Amanda McGlynn into a number of fantastic saves, including two in the shootout.
The U.S. did have a bit of leeway: a loss would have meant another qualifying opportunity against the loser of the Mexico-Canada match. But the women kept their composure to secure the win over 10-woman Haiti, reaching the finals of the competition for the eighth straight time.
Both teams had plenty of opportunities in regulation but only found the back of the net once. For the U.S. it was down to poor finishing while McGlynn stood in the way of Haiti, making five saves.
A clutch save by goalie Amanda McGlynn keeps things level in the 13'.
— U.S. Soccer YNT (@ussoccer_ynt) January 26, 2018
Jaelin Howell finally gave the U.S. a lead in the 75th minute when it took two tries to get past Haiti keeper Kerly Theus.
GOAL United States, Jaelin HOWELL No. 18 | @ussoccer_ynt @fhfhaiti #CU20W pic.twitter.com/6XcNEUys0n
— CONCACAF (@CONCACAF) January 26, 2018
But late in stoppage time, Haiti captain Nerilia Mondesir finally found a way past McGlynn to equalize.
GOAL Haiti, Nerilia MONDESIR No. 10 | @ussoccer_ynt @fhfhaiti #CU20W pic.twitter.com/HiJu1L9Ldq
— CONCACAF (@CONCACAF) January 26, 2018
The teams went straight to penalty kicks. The U.S. had its first shot saved but Haiti hit wide on its first attempt. The Americans then made their next three shots while McGlynn made two big saves to see the U.S. through to the final.
WE'RE GOING TO THE 'SHIP!
— U.S. Soccer YNT (@ussoccer_ynt) January 26, 2018
So while the USMNT will be sitting at home this summer watching the World Cup on TV, the U-20 USWNT will be in France playing in the World Cup.
CLINCHED!
Book your . The & is headed to France for the U-20 @FIFAWWC! pic.twitter.com/Sa0K2mVyRN— U.S. Soccer YNT (@ussoccer_ynt) January 26, 2018
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