USA books Under-20 Women's World Cup ticket

• by Paul Kennedy  @pkedit, Mar 10, 2012

[CONCACAF UNDER-20 WOMEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP] The USA beat Mexico, 4-0, in the semifinals of the Concacaf Under-20 Women's Championship to qualify for the Under-20 Women's World Cup to be held Aug. 19-Sept. 8 in Japan. First-half goals from Santa Clara's Julie Johnston, Virginia's Morgan Brian, the 2011 Soccer America Women's Freshman of the Year, with a 27-yard free kick and Colorado Rush phenom Lindsey Horan sealed the deal for the Americans, who have won their four games in Panama by a margin of 22-0. North Carolina's Kealia Ohai became the 11th different U.S. player to score in the tournament when she added the fourth goal on Katie Stengel's second assist of the match.

The USA has now qualified for all six Women's World Cups at this level -- the first two in 2002 and 2004 being held as U-19 events.

"We're very excited about qualifying for the World Cup," said U.S. coach Steve Swanson. "It's been a busy three months and for a lot of them who didn't qualify for the last FIFA U-17 World Cup one, this is a big thrill. We're excited and also anxious to go on to the final."

Canada, which will face the USA in Sunday's Concacaf final, also qualified with a 6-0 win over host Panama. Mexico and Panama will play in a third-place game to determine the third and final U-20 Women's World Cup berth from Concacaf.

March 9 in Panama City
USA 4 Mexico 0. Goals: Johnston 12, Brian 36, Horan 38, Ohai 81.
USA -- Heaberlin, Dunn, Roccaro, Kallman, Pathman, Killion (Mewis, 46), Brian, Johnston (DiBernardo, 70), Ohai, Stengel, Horan (Hayes, 61).
Mexico -- Santiago, Romero, Sierra, Kotero, Jimenez (Murillo, 46), Gomez-Junco (Solis, 73), Lopez, Pina, Ferral, Franco, Gutierrez