Taryn Torres and Civana Kuhlmann scored for the U-20 United States women’s national team in a 2-0 win over Nicaragua to open CONCACAF World Cup qualifying on Friday in Trinidad.
Torres opened the scoring in the 17th minute, tapping in a cross from Savannah DeMelo, whose spin-turn and burst of speed created the play.
Right place, right time. Taryn Torres did not hesitate to put the first one away vs. ??, assisted by Savannah DeMelo.
➕ on the striker: https://t.co/jo7MkLSMCv pic.twitter.com/oqZ4JFeKgt
— U.S. Soccer YNT (@ussoccer_ynt) January 19, 2018
Kuhlmann added a second goal in the 53rd minute after a scrappy play in the middle of the field.
9 goals in 13 U-20 #USWNT caps.
Civana Kuhlmann is a Goal. Scoring. Machine. ? pic.twitter.com/VsTGF8Y9qI
— U.S. Soccer YNT (@ussoccer_ynt) January 19, 2018
The match was Jitka Klimkova’s first-ever CONCACAF qualifying match as U-20 coach. The U.S. extended its unbeaten streak in U-20 qualifiers to 21 games (20-0-1).
Mexico sits atop the group on goal difference after defeating Jamaica, 4-0 on Friday. Group B resumes on Sunday, when the U.S. plays Jamaica and Mexico plays Nicaragua.
The top two teams from each group advance to the semifinals, with three teams advancing to the U-20 World Cup later this year.
Group A consists of Canada, Costa Rica, Haiti and Trinidad and Tobago.
