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Friday Roundup: U.S. qualifies for U-20 World Cup

Also in today’s Roundup, Greg Ryan has been let go as head coach of Michigan

The United States edged Haiti on penalties to book their ticket to France for this summer’s U-20 World Cup. It looked like the U.S. would win in regulation but Nerilia Mondesir equalized for Haiti in the 92nd minute, canceling out Jaelin Howell’s 75th minute opener. The U.S. now heads to the final of the CONCACAF Women’s U-20 Championships where they will face Mexico. Mexico defeated Canada on penalties after missing a penalty at the end of regulation. Haiti will play Canada for the third and final World Cup berth out of CONCACAF.

Howell’s goal came after she took a ball down with her head and beat three Haitian defenders to get off a shot from just inside the 18. Haiti keeper Kerly Theus made the initial save but Howell stuck with the play and hammered home the rebound.

With extra time not on the agenda, the U.S. had to go to penalties straight after Mondesir’s equalizer and the shootout got off to an ominous start when Sophia Smith was stopped by Theus. Mondesir followed by missing the frame and Amanda McGlynn made saves on the next two Haiti takers–Melchie Daelle Dumonay and Roseline Eloissaant. Meanwhile Taryn Torres, Howell, and Zoe Morse converted for the United States.

Haiti’s equalizer came with 10 women after Emeline Charles was shown a second yellow card on 83 minutes. She will miss the Third Place match on automatic suspension.

Greg Ryan out at Michigan

Greg Ryan is out as head coach at the University of Michigan. The former USWNT head coach was terminated on Thursday after compiling 103 wins over 10 seasons. The program’s best showing under Ryan, and equal best ever, was 2013 when they reached the Elite Eight before losing to Notre Dame. The Wolverines have one visit to the NCAA’s since then, a first round loss on penalties to Illinois State in 2016.

“It has been determined that Greg Ryan will not return as our women’s soccer coach,” Warde Manuel, the school’s Director of Athletics, said. We thank Greg for his 10 years of service and wish him success in the future.”

Ryan coached the USWNT between 2005 and 2007. He is famous for benching Hope Solo in favor of Briana Scurry for the 2007 World Cup semifinal against Brazil. After a 4-0 Brazil win, Solo lashed out at the decision saying that anyone who knows soccer knows she would have made the saves that Scurry did not. That was Ryan’s only loss as coach the U.S. He was fired after the tournament.

Michigan did not win the Big Ten under Ryan. Two players were drafted into NWSL. Hayley Kopmeyer was the 31st pick in 2013 and still plays for Seattle Reign FC. Nkem Ezurike was the 8th pick in 2014 by the Breakers. She currently plays in Sweden.

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