MIAMI – The 2025 Concacaf Women’s U-20 Qualifiers unfolded thrillingly on February 23, 2025, as nations vied for spots in the upcoming Concacaf Women’s U-20 Championship and the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup. Among the standout teams, Costa Rica proved particularly formidable, securing their place at the top of Group F with a decisive 6-0 victory against the Cayman Islands at Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva, Trinidad and Tobago.
From the very beginning, Costa Rica’s Keisy Taylor set the tone by scoring just two minutes in, showcasing the team’s dominance. Following Taylor's early goal, the match saw the emergence of Sheika Scott, who netted two goals by the 30th minute, putting considerable pressure on the Caymans. The team continued to press advantageously, resulting in goals from Fabiana Sanabria and Tiara Ruiz, the latter of whom added another header to the tally. This emphatic victory demonstrated the strength of Costa Rica’s young talent, as they look to pave their way to international glory.
Puerto Rico also made headlines with their impressive 3-0 win over Honduras, displaying versatility and tenacity on the field. The victory, achieved during the third match of the tournament at Estadio Olímpico Félix Sánchez in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, was marked by standout performances, including key plays from Ashley McMahon and Evelyn Ordoñez, who contributed to Puerto Rico's commanding lead.
Meanwhile, El Salvador crushed the U.S. Virgin Islands with a staggering 6-0 win, marking them as serious contenders following their commanding performance. Alexis Butz and Maya Buerger were pivotal for El Salvador, with Butz initiating the scoring and Buerger delivering multiple goals, showcasing the depth of talent across the teams competing.
Jamaica, too, demonstrated their prowess with a 4-0 victory against Saint Kitts and Nevis, continuing the trend of impressive scoring throughout this matchday. Players like Una Lue and Maya Raghunandanan were instrumental, pushing Jamaica forward with their dynamic play and goal-scoring capabilities.
Similarly, Nicaragua matched this competitive spirit with their own explosive 5-0 win against Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Adriana Munguia and Daniela Manzanares were among the key players who made exciting plays, solidifying Nicaragua's position within their group.
The excitement of matchday three didn’t just revolve around victories; it also included dramatic encounters such as the thrilling 2-2 draw between Aruba and Guatemala, which highlighted the fierce competitiveness of the qualifiers. Aruba managed to equalize late, showcasing resilience and determination even when facing setbacks.
The standings following this round of matches have set the stage for the upcoming contests, with six group winners poised to advance to the prestigious Concacaf Women’s U-20 Championship. Each team is rigorously fighting for the chance to represent their nations on the world stage at the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup. Fans and players alike are undoubtedly eager for the next matches, as every goal and play could significantly impact the road to success.
With so many victories, Costa Rica is standing firm, giving fans much to celebrate as they advance through this qualifying round and showcase their abilities on the international stage. The spirited performances and competitive nature of this tournament signal exciting times for women’s football, and for Costa Rica, the ambitions of young players are being realized.