Brooks, Guatemala Knocked Out of CONCACAF Under-20 Championships
1/26/2010 12:19:00 AM | Women's Soccer
GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala ? Guatemala was knocked out of the CONCACAF Under-20 Championships on Sunday after a 3-1 loss to defending champion Canada. North Dakota State freshman Shannon Brooks finished the tournament run with one goal and one assist.
Guatemala needed a win over Canada to advance to the semifinals, but Canada scored three first half goals. Brooks made it a 3-1 game in the 55th minute off a diving header.
"When I scored that goal, it was like all the hard work I've done since I was three was all worth it," Brooks said. "It goes to show girls can play. Even when we were losing 3-0, I was able to give the team a lift. Girls soccer in Guatemala keeps growing bigger and bigger. All I can say to the girls in Guatemala is even if your dad, even if your brother, even if the kids on the street say you can't play, keep playing.”
Guatemala won the tournament opener, 2-1, over Cuba with Brooks supplying the assist on the team's first goal.
After the win over Cuba, Brooks said, “I felt so happy because we made history for Guatemala. This was the first time ever that Guatemala won in an important tournament like this.”
Guatemala dropped a 2-1 contest to Costa Rica in the second group game.
Canada and Costa advanced from Group A to the semifinals. The United State and Mexico advanced from Group B.
Highlights from Guatemala's game against Canada can be found at CONCACAF.com.
Guatemala CONCACAF U-20 Results
Guatemala 2, Cuba 1
Costa Rica 3, Guatemala 0
Canada 3, Guatemala 1
