Bad weather keeps Canada waiting at CONCACAF U-20 tournament in Dominican Republic

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — Canada's opening game Wednesday against Jamaica at the CONCACAF Women’s U-20 Championship has been postponed due to bad weather.

The U.S. was slated to face Panama in the nightcap of the Group A doubleheader at Estadio Olimpico Felix Sanchez, which was drenched by thunderstorms.

Canada and seven other countries are fighting for CONCACAF's three berths at next year’s FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.

CONCACAF said a revised tournament schedule would be announced later. Canada already faced a condensed schedule with games against Panama on Friday and the defending champion U.S. on Sunday.

Group B is made up of Mexico, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico and the host Dominican Republic.

The top two from each group advance to the knockout stage with the two finalists and the third-place match winner qualifying for the FIFA U-20 World Cup.

Canada has qualified for eight of the 10 previous FIFA U-20 Women's World Cups, finishing runner-up to the U.S. in 2002 when Canada hosted the event.

Canada made it to the CONCACAF tournament by handily winning its qualifying group in the Dominican Republic last month. The Canadians defeated Martinique 15-0, St. Vincent and the Grenadines 12-0 and Cuba 4-0 before thumping previously unbeaten El Salvador 9-1.

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 24, 2023