FEATURE: Sophie Jones Scores at U-17 CONCACAF Championship Before Tournament Cancellation

San Jose Earthquakes Girls’ Academy midfielder Sophie Jones helped the U-17 United States Women’s National team start strong in the 2018 CONCACAGF Women’s U-17 Championship, scoring in the U.S.’ 4-0 win against Costa Rica.

All three goals by the U.S. in the match came from headers and Costa Rica contributed an own goal in the victory. Jones’ tally was the last one of the game in the 79th minute, and her first in a U-17 international competition.

With the victory the U.S. were in first place in Group B, ahead of Canada who beat Bermuda 3-0, but unfortunately the tournament was cancelled do to safety concerns in the host country of Nicaragua.

The cancellation came on Sunday, April 22; just three days after play began. CONCACAF made the decision to cancel the tournament after deadly clashes occurred at protests against changes in Nicaragua's social security payment systems.

The tournament was poised to serve as the qualifying tournament for the 2018 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Uruguay from Nov. 13-Dec. 1. New qualifying plans for the World Cup have not been announced.