Thanks to brilliant performances from substitutes Kealia Ohai and Chi Ubogagu, the U.S. U20 Women’s National Team overcame an early deficit and defeated Canada 2-1 in the 2012 U20 CONCACAF Championship title game.

Hayes scored the equalizer in the 79th minute when Ohai delivered a cross into the box that Canada failed to clear. Hayes finished the chance from 12 yards out into the lower right corner for the game-tying goal.

Ten minutes later, Ubogagu netted the winner with a tap-in, as she outhustled and fought off a few Canadian defenders to the ball only six yards from goal.

Oregon State’s Jenna Richardson scored the opening goal for Canada only five minutes in when she picked off a pass from Crystal Dunn and ripped a shot into the net.

Both the U.S. and Canada already qualified for the U20 Women’s World Cup with wins in the semifinal round. Mexico joined them earlier in the day with a win in the third place game over host Panama.

Player ratings:

Bryane Heaberline, 5. There was not much she could have done on the goal and had little to do throughout the rest of the contest.

Crystal Dunn, 3. The square ball to concede the opening goal was inexcusable even in the most flattering light. Canada also did a good job in slowing her down going forward.

Olivia Brannon, 5. Brannon did well when called upon, but there were still some nervous moments from all across the backline in the opening minutes.

Kassey Kallman, 4. The center back was careless with the ball at times. She made one very good challenge late in the game to prevent a breakaway.

Mollie Pathman, 5. Pathman did a great job against goal-scorer Jenna Richardson in the second half, but she also struggled getting forward.

Samantha Mewis, 6. Offensively, it was not the best performance from Mewis, but she was very good defensively and inserted a strong presence into the middle of the field.

Katie Stengel, 4. It was not a great outing from Stengel. She never found the rhythm of the game and was chewed up by the more physical Canadian defenders before being taken out at half.

Vanessa DiBernardo, 5. At times DiBernardo looked likely to break through the defense, but she never quite figured out how to get on the same page with the forwards.

Morgan Brian, 5. The attacking midfielder found a hole in the defense where she sat in and picked out strikers, but she also gave away the ball needlessly at times.

Lindsey Horan, 5. Horan continuously put herself in a position to score, but the breaks were not going her way tonight, and she was off-target with numerous shots and headers. She did battle the defenders and eventually helped with the game-winner.

Maya Hayes, 7. Hayes set up a few opportunities in the first half, and then became the hero in the second half with a class finish to grab the equalizer with 11 minutes left in the game.  

Substitutes

Chi Ubogagu, 7. The speedy striker was quiet for long stretches of the second half, but she was there late when the U.S. needed an ugly goal and delivered the game-winner.

Mandy Landish, 6. It was a quiet performance from Landish, but her steady play helped the midfield push numbers forward late.   

Kealia Ohai, 7. As a late substitute, Ohai’s entrance appeared to be coach Steve Swanson throwing the kitchen sink at the Canada defense. But Ohai put herself in the perfect spot at the right time and had a role with both goals.