Canadian women ready for FIFA U-17 World Cup opener against Colombia
Canada’s journey to the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Uruguay was anything but simple. But the turmoil getting there appears to have only made the young team closer.
The regional championship that served as a World Cup qualifier lasted just six games in April in Nicaragua before CONCACAF, the governing body of soccer in North and Central America and the Caribbean, pulled the plug due to violence in the capital Managua.
Play resumed some 45 days later in Florida with Canada qualifying thanks to an 89th minute goal by Andersen Williams, off a Jordyn Huitema headed assist, that lifted the Canadians to a 2-1 win over Haiti in the third-place game at the CONCACAF championship.
“The journey to get here was pretty challenging. I think all the girls are just so excited to finally be here after all those stepping stones,” said Williams. “I can’t wait to show the country how much we’ve prepared and worked for this.”