Three members of the UCLA women's soccer team will compete in the 2023 Concacaf Women's Under-20 Championships, set to begin May 24 in the Dominican Republic. Three FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup qualifying spots are up for grabs in the tournament. Freshmen Sofia Cook and Ally Lemos are representing the U.S., while incoming freshman Valerie Vargas will play for Mexico. Freshman America Frias was originally on Mexico's team but was replaced after sustaining an injury.
Cook and Lemos were both key members of UCLA's 2022 NCAA Championship squad. Lemos served up the game-tying assist with 16 seconds remaining in regulation in the championship game. Cook scored the game-winner in overtime in the NCAA quarterfinals against Virginia. Vargas, who signed a letter of intent last fall, played for Mexico at the 2022 FIFA Under-17 World Cup and scored 10 goals at the 2022 Concacaf Under-17 Championships.
The tournament will begin with a group stage phase, with the eight teams divided into two groups of four. The top two teams from each group will then advance to the semifinal round on June 1, with the winners of each semifinal qualifying for the 2024 FIFA Under-20 Women's World Cup. A Third-Place Match will determine the third and final team from Concacaf that will participate in the World Cup. The third-place and championship game will take place on June 3.
Playing in Group A, the U.S. opens the tournament against Panama on Friday, May 26 at 3pm PT, then will face Jamaica on Sunday, May 28 at 3pm ET before finishing the group stage against Canada on Tuesday, May 30 at 3pm PT. The U.S. are seven-time winners of the Concacaf Under-20 Championships in 12 appearances and champions of the previous two editions (2020, 2022). Bruins Lilly Reale and Neeku Purcell were starters on the 2022 championship squad.
Mexico is placed in Group B and will open against the host Dominican Republic on Thursday, May 25 at 3pm PT on Fox Soccer Plus. They will then face Puerto Rico on Saturday, May 27 at 3pm PT on Fox Soccer Plus and Costa Rica on Monday, May 29 at 3pm PT. Mexico is making its 12th appearance in the Concacaf Championships. Their lone tournament win came in 2018 with Bruin alumna Maricarmen Reyes on the roster.
Cook and Lemos were both key members of UCLA's 2022 NCAA Championship squad. Lemos served up the game-tying assist with 16 seconds remaining in regulation in the championship game. Cook scored the game-winner in overtime in the NCAA quarterfinals against Virginia. Vargas, who signed a letter of intent last fall, played for Mexico at the 2022 FIFA Under-17 World Cup and scored 10 goals at the 2022 Concacaf Under-17 Championships.
The tournament will begin with a group stage phase, with the eight teams divided into two groups of four. The top two teams from each group will then advance to the semifinal round on June 1, with the winners of each semifinal qualifying for the 2024 FIFA Under-20 Women's World Cup. A Third-Place Match will determine the third and final team from Concacaf that will participate in the World Cup. The third-place and championship game will take place on June 3.
Playing in Group A, the U.S. opens the tournament against Panama on Friday, May 26 at 3pm PT, then will face Jamaica on Sunday, May 28 at 3pm ET before finishing the group stage against Canada on Tuesday, May 30 at 3pm PT. The U.S. are seven-time winners of the Concacaf Under-20 Championships in 12 appearances and champions of the previous two editions (2020, 2022). Bruins Lilly Reale and Neeku Purcell were starters on the 2022 championship squad.
Mexico is placed in Group B and will open against the host Dominican Republic on Thursday, May 25 at 3pm PT on Fox Soccer Plus. They will then face Puerto Rico on Saturday, May 27 at 3pm PT on Fox Soccer Plus and Costa Rica on Monday, May 29 at 3pm PT. Mexico is making its 12th appearance in the Concacaf Championships. Their lone tournament win came in 2018 with Bruin alumna Maricarmen Reyes on the roster.