February 3, 2010
THEY WILL GO ON
Haiti vs. U.S. in CONCACAF U-17 Women's

Haiti, which was devastated by an earthquake last month, will open the CONCACAF Under-17 Women’s Championship against the defending champion United States, the start of the 16-game, 11-day event.

Despite the calamity, which according to some estimates has killed 200,000 in the country, including 32 people from the Haiti Football Federation in the collapse of their offices, Haiti has confirmed its participation in the second biennial U-17 championship. This is the first time it has qualified for the CONCACAF finals of a women’s youth event since the 2002 U-19 tournament.

CONCACAF president Jack Warner visited Haiti Sunday, committing support and offering encouragement to the Haitian Football Federation.

"Haiti's participation in this tournament under the most difficult circumstances is a testament to the will and commitment of the Haitian Football Federation, their players and coaches and the Haitian people." Warner said in a statement. "We applaud their perseverance and look forward to working together to rebuild their football program and country."

The team has arrived in Santo Domingo, where the Dominican Football Federation is providing lodging, training facilities and other assistance to help prepare the side for next month’s championship.

The tournament, to be played entirely at Alejandro Morera Soto Stadium – the home of Liga Deportiva Alajuelense – in Alajuela, Costa Rica, will open March 10 and will conclude with the title and third-place matches March 20.

Like the CONCACAF U-20 Women’s Championship in January, all of matches from U-17 tournament will be streamed live at CONCACAF.com. Each game also will be available on-demand shortly after its conclusion.

The CONCACAF tournament will qualify two teams, along with U-17 Women’s World Cup host Trinidad & Tobago, for the world championship in September.

Immediately following the Haiti-U.S. match, host Costa Rica will play the Cayman Islands in the nightcap of the opening day, Group B doubleheader.

Group A will begin the following day, March 11, with Panama playing Mexico and Jamaica facing Canada.

Group play will continue on alternate days through March 15, with the semifinals set for March 18.

The schedule
(Kickoff times in U.S. Eastern; local times in parentheses)

FIRST ROUND

Group A
Canada
Jamaica
Mexico
Panama

Group B
Cayman Islands
Costa Rica
Haiti
United States


Wednesday, March 10

Haiti vs. United States, 6 p.m. (5 p.m.)
Costa Rica vs. Cayman Islands, 8:30 p.m. (7:30 p.m.)

Thursday, March 11

Panama vs. Mexico, 6 p.m. (5 p.m.)
Jamaica vs. Canada, 8:30 p.m. (7:30 p.m.)

Friday, March 12

United States vs. Cayman Islands, 6 p.m. (5 p.m.)
Costa Rica vs. Haiti, 8:30 p.m. (7:30 p.m.)

Saturday, March 13

Mexico vs. Jamaica, 6 p.m. (5 p.m.)
Panama vs. Canada, 8:30 p.m. (7:30 p.m.)

Sunday, March 14

Cayman Islands vs. Haiti, 1 p.m. (11 a.m.)
Costa Rica vs. United States, 3:30 p.m. (1:30 p.m.)

Monday, March 15

Jamaica vs. Panama, 7 p.m. (5 p.m.)
Canada vs. Mexico , 9:30 p.m. (7:30 p.m.)

SEMIFINALS

Thursday, March 18

Semifinal 1, 6 p.m. (4 p.m.)
Semifinal 2, 9 p.m. (7 p.m.)

FINALS

Saturday, March 20

Third-Place

Semifinal losers, 6 p.m. (4 p.m.)

Championship

Semifinal winners, 9 p.m. (7 p.m.)