Group B games start on Thursday October 16th in Kansas City for the CONCACAF Women’s Championship, the qualification tournament for the World Cup. Read a bit more about each of the four teams below.
Mexico
Mexico’s roster includes five familiar NWSL faces, Houston Dash midfielder Teresa Noyola and defender Arianna Romero, Sky Blue FC forward Monica Ocampo, Washington Spirit midfielder Veronica Perez and Boston Breakers defender Bianca Sierra. Each of them playing significant roles and minutes for their team.
Romero was fourth on her team in terms of minutes played, while Ocampo and Noyola each had two game winning goals for their teams, but solid performances at the pro level have not translated well to the national stage.
Mexico’s most recent friendlies against the U.S. was not the best display of the young talent Tricolor has. In a 12-0 routing spanning two games against the US in September, Mexico was able to fire off 12 shots, but it’s the defense that surrendered 41 shots. Earlier in 2014, the Tricolor took part in the Four Nations tournament where the team went 1-2, with their lone win of 2014 coming against New Zealand.
Mexico has the offensive prowess, but it’s an organized defense and a young goal keeper where the team struggle.
The Tricolor has failed to qualify for the World Cup four out of their last six attempts, but the odds are in their favor for 2015. In previous qualifying tournaments Mexico has had to contend with both the U.S. and Canada for the two available spots in the World Cup that would represent CONCACAF. The Mexican national team often found themselves just outside that reach, finishing in third place in their last five attempts in this tournament. With the World Cup expanding the number of teams in the tournament CONCACAF can now send up to four teams instead of two. Also Canada will not pose a threat, as they will not participate in the qualifying tournament. Making the Tricolor a prime pick to earn a berth.
GK: Cecilia Santiago, Pamela Tajonar
DF: Arianna Romero, Bianca Sierra, Alina Garciamendez, Paulina Solis, Kenti Robles, Monica Alvarado, Christina Murillo
MF: Liliana Mercado, Lydia Nayeli Rangel, Teresa Noyola, Sandra Stephany Mayor, Monica Ocampo, Karla Nieto, Dinora Garza
FW: Veronica Charlyn Corral, Veronica Perez, Tanya Samarzich, Luz Duarte
Costa Rica
The Costa Rica squad arrived in the U.S. on October 5th in preparation for their last training camp before qualifiers begin. The team chose to train in Denver, Colorado in hopes that the environment as well as the climate in the area will help prepare them to play in the tournament host cities. The team scheduled three friendly matches with area teams during this camp against the Colorado Storm, the Air Force Academy and Colorado State University. These friendlies will provide an opportunity to work on tactics as well as make any adjustments and improvements before the tournament starts.
Costa Rica has been included in the qualifying tournament four times prior to this year; with their best showing being a third place finish in the 1998 qualifiers, though they did not qualify for the World Cup. Costa Rica finished fourth on two other occasions, most recently in 2010. With the expansion of teams in the World Cup as well as the increase in CONCACAF spots, similar results would qualify them or place them in the playoff against Ecuador. Their first match will be against Mexico on October 16th. The qualifying squad is as follows:
GK: Dinnia Diaz, Yirliana Arroyo
DF: Gabriela Guillen, Mariane Ugalde, Mariana Benavidez, Diana Saenz, Carol Sanchez, Daniela Cruz, Lixy Rodriguez, Noelia Bermudez, Yesmi Rodriguez, Fabiola Sanchez, Wendy Acosta
MF: Gloriana Villalobos, Shirley Cruz, Cristin Granados, Katherine Alvarado
FW: Carolina Venegas, Raquel Rodriguez Cedeno, Daphnne Herrera
Jamaica
Jamaica opted to hold a lengthier camp in preparation for qualifiers, having been in Orlando since September 21st, where they have schedule a few warm up matches with local academy teams in preparation for the tournament. The team had been holding camps and friendlies with various collegiate teams in the United States throughout the summer and performed very well in the Caribbean Cup, the tournament that got them into the upcoming qualifiers, with their only loss being in the final to Trinidad and Tobago.
This is Jamaica’s fifth appearance in the Women’s World Cup qualifying tournament. Their best showing in previous competitions was when they finished in fourth place in the 2006. This was also their last appearance as they did not make it into qualifiers in 2010. Head coach Merron Gordon seems pleased with the team’s play during their first few warm up matches, citing a strong performance with several of their key players not featuring. Quality in squad depth could be a key factor with teams playing several games over a short time span during the tournament. Having selected only one goalkeeper, Gordon was able to add depth to other areas of the roster. Jamaica will face Martinique in their first match on October 16th. Here is the team that will attempt to qualify for the 2015 Women’s World Cup:
GK: Nicole McClure
DF: Tasheka Gordon, Mitsy Facey, Alicia Wilson, Sashana Campbell, Yolanda Hamilton, Monique Pryce
MF: Jodi-Ann McGregor, Donnakay Henry, Omolyn Davis, Christina Murray, Sheneka Gordon, Sherona Forrester, Lauren Silver
FW: Shantel Bailey, Shakira Duncan, Alexa Allen, Shanoska Young, Venecia Reid
Martinique
Martinique entered the Women’s World Cup Qualifying tournament through this year’s Caribbean Cup; finishing second in their final group behind Trinidad and Tobago and finishing fourth overall. This will be the third time Martinique has appeared in qualifiers, having last competed in 1998 and was eliminated in the group stages. The Martinique team is in a bit of a different situation than the rest of the teams competing as they are a member of CONCACAF, but not FIFA. Therefore, they are able to compete in this tournament, but unable to actually enter the 2015 Women’s World Cup. Participation in qualifiers provides an excellent opportunity to play in more competitive matches and to be able to take part in an event of this nature. Martinique’s first match will be against Jamaica on October 16th and the roster is as follows:
GK: Cathy Bellune, Benedicte Hubbel
DF: Catherine Noel, Sylvia Solbiac, Clara Kichenama, Loriane Martial, Dorialina Dijon, Nathalie Rangoly, Aurelie Rouge, Mandy Jacques, Catherine Ravi, Nathalela Paulin, Johanne Guillou, Audrey Bernabe
FW: Prisca Carin, Sarah Melgire, Kelly Brena, Lena Mauconduit, Sandra Parfait, Alexandra Croisetu
