Michelle Cooper and Talia DellaPeruta each scored in the first half to pace the U.S. to their second straight CONCACAF Women’s Under-20 Championship crown.
The U.S. got off to a dream start with Cooper scoring in the 3rd minute for a 1-0 advantage. A hesitation from Mexico keeper Celeste Espino allowed Cooper to swoop in and score the early goal.
The reigning champions stayed on the front foot and were able to double their lead shortly before halftime, as DellaPeruta stroked in a penalty kick in the 42nd minute for a 2-0 lead.
Mexico sought a response in the second half and had two great cracks at goal, both from Natalia Mauleon. The first was a swinging shot from distance in the 50th minute that struck the crossbar, followed by a late chance in the 85th minute that forced a fingertip save from U.S. keeper Neeku Purcell.
In the end, the U.S. managed to nail down the victory and finish off the tournament without conceding a goal on their way to another CONCACAF Women’s Under-20 Championship title.