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2018 CONCACAF Championship Roundup

10/23/2018, 4:00pm EDT
By Admin

Nine current & former UWS stars took part in FIFA WWC qualifying tournament

METUCHEN, NJ - Nine current and former United Women's Soccer (UWS) stars competed recently in the 2018 CONCACAF Women's Championship. The eight-team tournament determined who would compete in the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup in France from the CONCACAF region. The top three teams qualified for the WWC while the fourth-placed team advanced to a play-off against the third-placed team from the South American confederation - CONMEBOL.

The United States Women's National Team successfully defended their title as hosts, winning the final over Canada for their 8th CONCACAF Women's Championship title. Jamaica automatically qualified for the 2019 FIFA WWC by winning a penalty-kick shootout (4-2) over Panama, after the third-place playoff match ended in a 2-2 draw. Those current & former UWS players who competed in the 2018 CONCACAF Women's Championship include:

CANADA - Stephanie Labbé (Calgary Foothills Women's FC)

COSTA RICA - Carol Sanchez (Inferno Rush) & Carolina Venegas (Santa Clarita Blue Heat)

JAMAICA - Allyson Swaby & Chantelle Swaby (New England Mutiny), Jody Brown (Orlando Kicks)

MEXICO - Kiana Palacios (LA Galaxy Orange County Women)

TRINIDAD & TOBAGO - Liana Hinds (Connecticut Fusion) & Tasha St. Louis (New England Mutiny)

"Congratulations to all current and former UWS players that participated in the CONCACAF qualifiers for the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup," said UWS Commissioner Joseph Ferrara, Jr. "International players are a major component of our league pool and it was great to see them perform on the highest stage."

Labbé was a 2018 All-United Women's Soccer Second Team and All-UWS West First Team selection for the West Conference champions. Sanchez was a 2016 All-UWS selection for the Lancaster Inferno (now the Inferno Rush) and Venegas starred for the 2017 West champion Santa Clarita Blue Heat. The Swaby sisters are veterans of the New England Mutiny, as Allyson was a 2016 All-UWS selection and Chantelle was a UWS Team of the Week honoree for the Mutiny this past summer.

Brown was the leading scorer for Jamaica (four goals) and was awarded the top Young Player Award for her impressive efforts. She suited up for the Orlando Kicks this past summer, who played provisionally in the Southeast Conference. Palacios starred for the LA Galaxy OC Women in their inaugural season. Hinds also played for the Fusion this past summer in their first season as well while St. Louis was the leading scorer for the Mutiny back in the 2008 season.

About United Women's Soccer: UWS is a national women’s soccer league sanctioned by U.S. Soccer. UWS is a professionally operated league created for teams that meet high minimum standards. The season runs from May until the end of July, culminating in a National Championship match. The UWS player pool is comprised of college players, aspiring & former professionals and international stars. You can follow UWS on social media on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Media can contact the UWS Communications office by e-mail at UWSPress@gmail.com. You can visit the league’s official website at UWSSoccer.com. Interested team applicants can contact League Commissioner Joe Ferrara, Jr. by e-mail at Joe@UWSSoccer.com.

Tag(s): News |   Lancaster Inferno  New England Mutiny  Foothills WFC  Santa Clarita Blue Heat  LA Galaxy  Connecticut Fusion