Panama City, Sunday 11 March 2012.– Maya Hayes and Chioma Ubogagu both scored in the final 11 minutes to rally the United States to a 2-1 victory over Canada on Sunday, earning it a second straight CONCACAF Under-20 Women's Championship title and third overall.
Despite being dominant throughout, the Americans needed until the 79th for Hayes to equalize, and then won it when Ubogagu poked in a loose ball with a little over a minute remaining.
The United States outshot Canada 29-5, including 10-3 on goal, and had vastly more corner kicks (15-2) but still trailed 1-0 entering the final 15 minutes.
Hayes finally tied the match when she settled a cross from second-half substitute Kealia Ohai at the six, took a touch across the line and spun to put a low right-footed shot across the face of goal and into the far-side netting. It was her team-leading fifth, one behind tournament leader Natalia Gomez-Junco of Mexico.
The Americans continued to push forward and won it when Ohai again worked free on the wing and sent another cross along the top of goalbox. Canadian defender Kylie Davis blocked the ball with her knees, but it fell in front, where Obogagu poked it in with a lunging left leg.
"Full marks to our players," U.S. coach Steve Sampson said. "They showed a lot of determination and heart. They hung in there. I was happy to see us win before overtime.
"Overall thought we controlled the run of play. We seemed antsy in front of the net, not finishing like we normally do. Maybe that was because we hadn't been down a goal before. It was coming. We just had to continue to play soccer and look for quality chances."
Jenna Richardson gave Canada the lead with her fourth goal of the tournament in the fifth minute, intercepting an intended cross-field pass by American winger Chrystal Dunn and racing half the field. Richardson sprinted into the area with American defender Kassey Kallman in pursuit and finished with a right-footed drive into the far-side netting.
It was the first goal allowed by the United States in the tournament, which had beaten all four previous opponents by a combined 22-0.
The match was the fourth meeting between the North American rivals in the CONCACAF final and second win for the United States.
The United States had the first shot of the game when Lindsey Horan put a chance from distance high. After Richardson gave Canada the lead, the Americans had nearly all the play, not allowing Canada another shot until 33rd minute when Christabel Oduro bounced a high ball wide with U.S. keeper Bryane Heaberlin off her line.
Canada, which had beaten its four previous opponents by a combined 14-0, was often seen keeping 10 and sometimes 11 players behind the ball.
The match was some redemption for six members of the U.S. team, who outscored their opponents 38-0 at the 2010 CONCACAF U-17 Championship - beaten by Canada on penalties in the semifinals - and were denied a berth in the World Cup.
Both Canada and the United States already were assured of reaching the U-20 Women's World Cup in Japan in August, guaranteed berths with semifinal victories on Friday. The United States defeated Mexico 4-0 and Canada overwhelmed Panama 6-0.
*With information from the CONCACAF
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