Chilly temperatures couldn’t stop the US U20 Women’s National Team from putting on a clinic during one of two scrimmages played Tuesday at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California.

Battling Ajax into the evening hours, the US team finished with a 2-0 win, but more important was their sharp form.

For much of the match it was a study in possession style offense. Midfielder Elizabeth Eddy, of the So Cal Blues, spearheaded the attack with her speed and decision-making. She set up the team’s first score on a quick touch across the box that finished off a play where four players touched the ball in rapid succession.

The play was mostly emblematic of the day’s action where the national roster worked exceptionally well together.

Teresa Noyola, of Stanford, controlled the tempo along with Eddy in the middle.  

South Side Strikers forward Courtney Verloo scored the final goal on a run out from the left wing. With defenders trailing her, Verloo calmly gathered the ball and sent it past the Ajax goalie.

On the defensive side, Cloee Colohan is a stalwart as a center back and made few errors. Crystal Dunn was strong as an outside back and controlled the ball well while Oklahoma State’s Melinda Mercado came on in the second half and showed great poise.

It was a promising exhibition that showed a glimpse of how the group could potentially come together.

The day’s earlier scrimmage was quite the opposite. While the assembled team showed great effort, the US side spent the entire match on the defensive.

It was through sheer will and a little luck that the squad earned a 2-2 tie against the U15 Boys Irvine Srikers.

The Strikers hit the post on shot attempts at least eight times, as the US defense scrambled to stay organized. The Strikers penetrated the US team’s 4-4-2 formation and created problems for much of the match.

Defenders like Jazmyne Avant and Ali Fenter, of Washington State, worked hard but had trouble marking the opposition.

Central defender Bailey Powell, of Georgia, was a stabilizer for the defensive unit and managed to fight off a few sure goals using her height and good positioning.

Penn State-bound Tani Costa showed her knack for goal scoring in the first half, trapping a ball sent her way before her left-footed strike found the right corner of the goal.

After averting a handful of near goals from the Strikers during an eventful second half, Shawna Gordon, of Long Beach State, scored the team’s second goal.

Maya Hayes, playing up top with Costa for most of the match, showed off great speed and one-on-one ability, but also gave up a few possessions.

D’Feeters’ striker Chioma Ubogagu is speedy as well, and had a couple of nice goal chances late in the match.

The US team will continue training throughout the week and resume scrimmages Saturday with a pair of matches against Cal South Boys ODP teams.

 

U.S U20 WNT Training Camp Roster

GOALKEEPERS (3): Taylor Vancil (Louisville; South Elgin, Ill.), Chante Sandiford (UCLA, Owensville, Md.), Kelsey Wys (Parkland Predators; Coral Springs, Fla.)

DEFENDERS (6): Jazmyne Avant (Florida; Coppell, Texas), Amber Brooks (Arsenal World Class; New Hope, Pa.), Zakiya Bywaters (Neusport SC; Las Vegas, Nev.), Cloee Colohan (Black Diamond SC; West Point, Utah), Crystal Dunn (Albertson SC; Rockville Centre, N.Y.), Melinda Mercado (Oklahoma State; Sapulpa, Okla.)

MIDFIELDERS (8): Katy Frierson (Auburn; Birmingham, Ala.), Maya Hayes (Aristics Club; West Orange, N.J.), Olivia Klei (Pleasanton Rage; Pleasanton, Calif.), Teresa Noyola (Stanford; Palo Alto, Calif.), Alev Kelter (Alaska Rush; Eagle River, Alaska), Jenna Richmond (McLean SC; Centreville, Va.), Erika Tymrak (IMG Academy; Lakewood Ranch, Fla.), Beth West (Texas A & M(w); Centennial, Colo.)

FORWARDS (6): Lauren Alwine (Virginia; Elizabethtown, Pa.), Kim Castleberry (Dallas Texans; McKinney, Texas), Tani Costa (Leahi, SC, Honolulu, HI), Elizabeth Eddy (So Cal Blues; Costa Mesa, Calif.), Courtney Jones (UNC(w); Danville, Calif.), Kristie Mewis (South Shore Select; Hanson Mass.), Chioma Ubogagu (D’Feeters; Coppell, Texas), Courtney Verloo (South Side Strikers, Tualatin, Ore.)