The U-20 United States Women’s National Team opened up their U-20 Women’s World Cup campaign with a 1-1 draw against Ghana today. Elizabeth Cudjoe put the Ghanians ahead after just 7 minutes before the United States equalized in the 70′.

UCLA forward Sydney Leroux easily scored off of a squared pass in the box from Maya Hayes. 20 year-old Leroux is one of two players that had previously played in the 2008 Women’s Worlc Cup (the other being Christine Nairn). She also serves as captain of the side that is led by her UCLA head coach Jill Ellis.

Cudjoe’s opening goal came from outside the area and it swerved past goalkeeper Bianca Henninger with ferocious pace. Perhaps it was the unrelenting Dresden heat or maybe it was first-time jitters but the United States defense looked rattled.

But as the Americans’ passing game began to improve so did too did the team’s confidence. Ghana were lucky to have escaped from a particularly sticky situation in the 22′. A cross from left-back Kendall Johnson was nearly headed in for an own goal by the Ghanian defense. The ball was then struck about by Vicki DiMartino and Amber Brooks before the Ghanians finally cleared it.

In the second half, Maya Hayes and Teresa Noyola came on for DiMartino and Christine Nairn respectively. The substitutes proved to have huge impacts.

The United States continued to press and missed fine opportunities by Kristie Mewis and Sydney Leroux within five minutes. Then in the 65′ Leroux found the equalizing goal as Noyola stripped a Ghanian midfielder, fed Hayes who burst towards the goalkeeper before sliding the ball square to Leroux who finished it off.

The U.S. continued to press hard for the game-winner but to no avail. There was a promising opportunity from Courtney Verloo in the 80′ and two additional chances within five minutes of extra time but the Ghanian defense held strong.

Bianca Henninger also stood tall as she withstood the pressure of Ghana’s attacking sequences, particularly in the latter stages of the goal. This was Henninger’s debut World Cup performance as it was for Toni Pressley, Kendall Johnson, Zakiya Bywaters, Maya Hayes and Teresa Noyola.

The American center-back pairing of Crystal Dunn and Toni Pressley had particularly fine performances. UNC-bound Dunn – who stands at just 5’1 – was selected as USSoccer.com’s Woman of the Match.

This is the first time the United States has not won the opening match of this tournament. The U.S. is now tied on points with Ghana after South Korea tonked Switzerland 4-0 in the other group match. The Americans will meet the Swiss this Saturday.

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• 2010 U-20 Women`s World Cup in Germany