FSU’s Becky Edwards Earns Spot On U.S. U-20 National Team

Edwards will represent the U.S. at the World Cup in Chile in late November.

8/8/08

Tallahassee, Fla. – Florida State’s Becky Edwards received great news on Friday, August 8 as she earned a spot on the final roster of the United States U-20 National Team as announced by head coach Tony DiCicco. Edwards is one of 18 players that will represent the U.S. at the FIFA Youth World Cup which will be held November 20 – December 8 in Chile.

“I am very excited,” explained Edwards. “I’m looking forward to representing my country and will hopefully come back with a gold medal.”

Edwards will continue to train and play at Florida State in 2008 as well. She will report for training camp duties twice with the U-20 team during the regular season before heading off to Chile for the Youth World Cup in mid-November.

As a member of the U-20 squad for two years, Edwards helped the U.S. to a silver medal at the Pan-American Games in Rio de Janeiro back in the summer of 2007 falling to the Brazilian Full National Team in the finals. Edwards started every game for her native country playing all 90 minutes in five of those six contests. She finished the tournament with 520 total minutes on the pitch.

In March of 2008, Edwards competed with the U-20 team at the Cyprus Tournament which finished in second place. Edwards played in all four matches making three starts as she helped the U.S. advance to the championship game against the full Canadian National Team.

Edwards was back on the pitch in July as the United States played their way into the World Cup Championship with a second place finish at the CONCACAF Qualifying Tournament in Puebla, Mexico. She appeared in five games with four starts as the Downingtown, Pa., native tallied four points on a goal and two assists.

“It has definitely been a long road to get to this moment,” added Edwards on the experience so far. “We started last year in preparation for the World Cup with a lot of players in the pool that were evaluated after each session. It is really a privilege to have been chosen (to represent the USA). To have the experience playing in the Pan-Am Games last year as well as training and playing in matches oversees, will certainly help in preparation for the World Cup. I also feel that my experiences at FSU and going to the College Cup twice, will also be an added advantage.”

The 16 teams that will compete for the U-20 world title this year are: Asia: China, Japan, North Korea; Africa: Congo DR, Nigeria; Europe: England, France, Germany, Norway; CONCACAF: Canada, USA, Mexico; Oceania: New Zealand; South America: Brazil, Argentina; Host: Chile.