July 24, 2008

SEATTLE - University of Washington associate head soccer coach Amy Griffin has helped lead the United States Under-17 women's soccer team to within one game of a berth in the first-ever U-17 Women's World Cup.

Griffin, who is in her second year as the goalkeeper coach for the U-17 national team, is currently in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad with the team at the CONCACAF U-17 Women's Championship where the top three teams will earn a berth in the World Cup, Oct. 28-Nov. 16 in New Zealand.

A former U.S. National Team goalkeeper, Griffin sat down with U.S. Soccer to do a podcast in which she recaps the team's opening three wins, looks ahead to a semifinal battle against Mexico and talks about her experience on the U.S. National Team, among other subjects. To listen to the podcast, go to www.ussoccer.com.

Griffin's goalkeepers were flawless in the team's first two games, a 6-0 opening-match victory over Costa Rica on Friday and a 9-0 blowout of El Salvador on Sunday. While the team allowed a goal in their final match in group play, they still managed to win the group easily with a 9-1 win over Trinidad and Tobago.

The U.S. will face off against Mexico Thursday at 4:30 p.m. PT with the winner automatically qualifying for the World Cup. The third-place team will also earn a trip to New Zealand. Should the U.S. win Thursday evening, they would face either Canada or Costa Rica in the finals. Tonight's game can be followed live on ussoccer.com on gametracker.