The U.S. U-17 girls national team will win the 2016 U-17 NTC Invitational in Carson, Calif., with a victory or tie against Japan thanks to 2-0 victories over South Korea on Saturday and England onThursday.
The Colorado Rush’s Civana Kuhlmann scored twice in the last eight minutes in the win over England. She was assisted by Real Colorado’s JaelinHowell on an 82nd minute strike and Cal Blues’ Kennedy Wesley in the 87th minute.
Wesley, along with Jordan Canniff (Richmond United) and defendersKate Wiesner (Slammers FC), is one of three 14-year-olds (2001s) in Coach B.J. Snow‘s 20-player squad, which is preparing for the 2016 Concacaf U-17 Women’s Championship inGrenada March 3-13.
The top three teams from the Concacaf championship will qualify for the 2016 U-17 Women’s World Cup in Jordan Sept. 30-Oct. 21. 1999-born players comprise the majority ofSnow’s roster, while five are 2000s.
In the 2-0 win over South Korea, Real Colorado’s Sophia Smith, with a tap-in on a pass from Tophat’s RachelJones, and Karina Rodriguez (So Cal Blues), with a volley off a cross from Sydney Zandi (Penn Fusion), struck first-half goals.
In the NTCInvitational’s other games, Japan tied England, 1-1, and beat South Korea, 5-0.
The USA-Japan game will streamed live at ussoccer.com Monday at 6 p.m. ET.
Feb. 13 in Carson, California
USA 2 South Korea 0. Goals: Smith (Jones) 13, Rodriguez (Zandi) 25.
USA — Beall, Wesley (Spaanstra, 77), Rodriguez, Girma(Smith, 45), Rodriguez (Weisner, 45 Zandi ( Torres, 63) Howell, Pinto (Tagliaferri, 57), Jones, 3- Smith (Canniff, 45), Sanchez.
South Korea — Kim Yealin (Bang Mirae, 88),Kang Jiwoo, Kim Jinhui (Kang Taekyung, 45), Sim Seohui (Im Sojeong, 45), Eom Keunbyeol, Mok Seungyeon (Kim Soeun, 45), Kim Hyeju, Gwon Huiseon (Jung Minyoung, 45), Choi Jeongmin (Kang Chaerim, 86),Mun Eunju, Han Juri.
Referee: Ceciah Valero (USA)
Feb. 11 in Carson, California
USA 2 England 0.Goals: Kuhlmann (Howell) 82, Kuhlmann (Wesley) 87.
USA — Ivory, Rodriguez (Smith, 45), Girma, Rodriguez (Weisner 65), Spaanstra, Torres (Tagliaferri, 70), Zandi (Howell, 65),Pinto, Sanchez (Jones, 65), Smith (Wesley, 45), Kuhlmann.
England — Roebuck, Allen, Pattern, Wubben Mov, Hinds, Olding, Hooper, Cain (Toone, 69), Charles (Brazil, 85),Stanway, Filbev.
Referee: Reyna Fonseca (USA).