USA crushes Lady Jags 8-0 in U20 Championships opener
Guyana’s Women’s Under- 20 National team, the junior Lady Jags, suffered a crushing loss in their opening encounter of the 2025 CONCACAF Women’s U20 Championships, against regional powerhouses USA.
For the all- important contest at the Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto in Costa Rica, Guyana opted for a starting XI that included Captain Heike Clarke, goalkeeper Kymora Chung, Naomi Benjamin, Alexis Bayley, Jaida Tucker, Anaya Joseph, Sarah DaSilva, Liyah Menilek, Myanne Fernandes, Jaida Schoburgh and Se- Hanna Mars.
The Lady Jags starting XI against USA on Friday afternoon
USA’s star striker of the day, Izzy Engle, got the ball rolling early, finding the back of the net in just the fifth minute off a previously saved attempt from her teammate, to put the USA ahead.
While the USA had their second strike ruled out on the basis of offside, they wasted no time in getting one back as Kennedy Fuller perfectly executed a penalty opportunity in the 13th minute. Engle returned in the 24th to register her second goal, holding the back post during a set piece from the corner and subsequently heading the ball into the nets for what was her team’s third strike.
Just a minute later, the contest became a 4-0 affair when Sealey Strawn added her name to the scoresheet. Before the half ended, Linda Ullmark (37th) and Engle (41st) added to the USA’s tally for a 6-0 score at the half.
Though still conceding another two goals, the Lady Jags’ defence looked much improved in the second segment of the game. importantly, the Guyanese side was able to stifle Engle, allowing her just one other goal in the 48th minute to complete her helmet trick. The American forward beat two Guyanese defenders on her tail, finding a space between the two to launch a shot into the corner of the net.
Then, after what can be considered a lengthy dry period for the USA, Emma Johnson capitalised off a loose ball that Guyana’s keeper, Chung has just pushed out, hitting the nets in the 77th minute.
Should they advance to the tournament’s semifinals and secure a spot in the 2026 FIFA Women’s U20 World Cup, the lady jags will need victories in their two remaining Group A fixtures.
The Guyanese will take on hosts Costa Rica on Sunday, June 1 at 16:00hrs and Puerto Rico on Tuesday, June 3 at 13:00hrs.
