DiBernardo, Rayfield Earn U-20 CONCACAF Championship
March 12, 2012 | Soccer
March 12, 2012
2012 CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying Photo Gallery
Match Recaps: U.S.-Guatemala | U.S.-Cuba | U.S.-Panama | U.S.-Mexico | U.S.-Canada
Match Highlights: U.S.-Guatemala | U.S.-Cuba | U.S.-Panama | U.S.-Mexico | U.S.-Canada
DiBernardo Highlights: Goal vs. Panama | Assist vs. Panama
PANAMA CITY - Illinois head coach Janet Rayfield and sophomore midfielder Vanessa DiBernardo earned the U-20 CONCACAF Championship with the U.S. squad on Sunday, helping the team to an undefeated mark over five contests during 2012 U-20 FIFA World Cup Qualifying in Panama City, Panama. Advancing to the championship game secured the U-20s a berth in the upcoming World Cup, hosted in Japan from Aug. 19 through Sept. 8. DiBernardo served as one of six midfielders on the squad while Rayfield was tabbed as an assistant by head coach Steve Swanson, both helping Team USA earn a come-from-behind victory, 2-1, over the Canadian side in the final match.
DiBernardo saw time in all five contests, earning a pair of starts while tallying five points. The Naperville, Ill., native secured a goal against Cuba as part of an eventual 6-0 victory, scoring in the 51st minute after entering the contest as a substitute only five minutes prior. DiBernardo followed by earning USSoccer.com Woman of the Match after a goal and assist during a 6-0 win over host-Panama during the sophomore's first start. DiBernardo put the U.S. up 2-0 on the Panamanian team in the 45th minute before assisting Samantha Mewis in staking Team USA to a 5-0 advantage in the 69th minute.
As a team, the U.S. side earned a 24-1 advantage in goals scored, with additional blowout victories over Guatemala, 6-0, and Mexico, 4-0, en route to the championship game. DiBernardo earned her second start during the final contest against Canada, during which Team USA trailed from the fifth minute of the contest until a pair of late tallies, with the game-winning goal scored in the 89th minute. The U.S. dominated play throughout much of the tournament, totaling more corner kicks, 52-5, while holding all opponents to a combined 13 shots for an average of just 2.6 allowed per game.
DiBernardo has seen considerable time with the U-20 and U-23 squads in the previous year, also traveling to Spain to help secure the Four Nations Tournament Championship in February. Previously, DiBernardo trained with the U.S. National Program in California on three occasions during the summer of 2011. Rayfield has assisted extensively with various U.S. teams, including serving as a scout for Team USA during the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup, and was a National Staff Coach for U.S. Soccer from 2000-2002 before becoming the leader of the Illini.
