Three Internationals Soccer Club standouts, including Jordan Brewster and Sydney Dawson, have been called into the U.S. U-20 Women’s National Team training camp ahead of 2018 CONCACAF Women’s Under-20 Championship, which runs from Jan. 18-28 in Trinidad and Tobago. Brewster and Dawson will be joined by ISC alum Olivia Petit, who just completed her freshman season at St. Louis University.
Brewster, Dawson, and the U.S. Under-19 Women’s National Team finished first in the CFA International Women’s Youth Football Tournament in Duyun, China in September of this year. Drawing from that experience, both ladies spoke of how placing first in China will only help better their skillset heading into one of the biggest training camps of their lives.
“Playing against some of the top teams in the world only helped me grow my game” Dawson said. “It’s amazing how even though we couldn’t communicate in the same language with some of the teams we were playing against, but the game of soccer brought us closer together outside of the pitch. The facilities were amazing, as was the culture.”
Paired in Group B with Mexico, Nicaragua, and against the first-place finisher from the soon-to-be held Caribbean pre-qualifying tournament will see the U.S. face bettering competition from the region.
Brewster and Dawson will be two of the youngest participants in training camp.
“It’s always and honor to be called up, but each call up never guarantees you another,” Brewster said of her selection. “Bouncing back and forth from U-18 to U-20 camps is just another step up as Sydney and I need to prove that we do deserve our spots and being the youngest the means working the hardest. Getting a roster spot would be the best thing to happen to me.”
For Dawson, a sense of pride shines through in her representation of her club and the challenge at hand going up against mostly other college athletes in camp.
“I’m very excited to have this opportunity. The challenge excites me going up against some of the best collegiate athletes and being able to grab one of those final roster spots would be one of the best things to happen to me. If I were to make the roster, it would make everything worth it to me, I’m excited for the week ahead.”
For both players, the continued experience acquired at this level keeps their aspirations of one day going pro and featuring for the full national team on track.
“We want to make sure on and off the field we represent ourselves and where we come from with integrity, we want them to remember the name of our club and the ones who will come behind us from our programs,” Brewster said.
Dawson felt similarly.
“Ohio isn’t known for youth girls clubs, it’s awesome having three to four players to be able to represent our country and club and come home and share the experience. Regardless if I make it or not, I’m going to keep working towards my goal no matter what.”
The 2018 CONCACAF Women’s U-20 Championship features eight nations divided into two groups of four teams. The top two finishers in each group will qualify for the semifinals, with the winners of those games along with the winner of the third-place match earning berths to the 2018 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in France.
All three of the USA’s group games kick off at 5:30 p.m. ET. The semifinal matches will take place on Friday, Jan. 26, and the championship and third place matches are scheduled for Jan. 28.
Photo Credit: Brent Durken/ISNSoccer.com and Bill Barrett
Story Sent to NEO VIA the Internationals Soccer Club
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