Jan. 17, 2012
SEATTLE - Former Huskies Veronica Perez and Hope Solo will be preparing for the 2012 CONCACAF Women Pre-Olympic Tournament. The event, held at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, BC, Canada between January 19-29, determines the two teams that will go on to compete in the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, England. Mexico, along with Canada and the United States, were automatic qualifiers in the CONCACAF tournament. After the Caribbean and Central America qualification took place, Cuba, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, and Guatemala won their group to compete in the 8-team final tournament. Perez (who has not been to the Olympics) and the Mexican Women's National Team were placed in Group B, along with the U.S., Guatemala and the Dominican Republic. Mexico will start group play against Guatemala on Jan. 20th, then the Dominican Republic on the 22nd, and finish against the U.S. on the 24th before the knockout stage begins, where two teams from each group will move on. Solo, coming off of her fourth place finish on Dancing With The Stars, is looking to go to the Olympics for the third time. USA won the gold medal in 2007 with Solo in goal. The USA will play Guatemala on the 22nd and then mexico. The semi-finals are Friday, Jan. 27 and the finale is Jan. 29. Nine teams have already qualified for the 12-team Olympic Football Tournament: Great Britain, Japan and North Korea from Asia, Cameroon and South Africa from Africa, Brazil and Colombia from South America, and Sweden and France from Europe. Fans can visit http://www.concacaf.com/page/WOQ/NewsDetail/0,,12813~2494070,00.html for more information on the 2012 CONCACAF Tournament. The 2012 Summer Olympics will take place in London from July 27 to August 12, 2012. Visit http://www.london2012.com/football for more information on soccer/football at the Olympics. |
