OSU’s Franch Named To U.S. U-20 National Team
CHICAGO – Oklahoma State soccer star Adrianna Franch has been named to the U.S. Under-20 Women’s National Team that will play in the 2010 Under-20 Women’s World Cup next month in Germany.
One of 21 players chosen for the team by U.S. head coach Jillian Ellis, Franch will represent the United States at the 2010 Under-20 Women’s World Cup, which will be held in Bochum, Bielefeld, Augsburg and Dresden, Germany from July 13-Aug. 1.
“It’s a tremendous honor and a great achievement,” said head coach Colin Carmichael. “When you consider how many great players there are in this country at the under-20 level, for AD to be singled out in the top 21, and the top three goalkeepers, is amazing. I hope she enjoys the experience.
“Her playing at that level all summer can only make her better for us when she gets back. Hopefully, that experience pays off at the college level. And the exposure of having one of your athletes representing your country at that level is great exposure for our program.”
Franch, the first player to ever compete for a U.S. National Team and one of three goalkeepers on the U.S. U-20 roster, is coming off a Freshman All-America season for the Cowgirls in which she also earned All-Big 12 Conference First Team and first-team All-Central Region honors. In her first collegiate season, Franch set a school record with 11 shutouts and led the Big 12 in shutouts, goals against average (0.61) and save percentage (.843).
Ellis selected the U-20 National Team after a two-week training camp in Los Angeles and San Diego, which was the last extended domestic event for the U.S. team before it departs for Germany in early July. The U.S. team will play its final international matches before the World Cup in Europe as the squad will travel to Germany on June 6 for two games, facing Japan on June 10 and Germany on June 13.
At the U-20 Women’s World Cup, the will be playing in Group D along with Ghana, Switzerland and Korea Republic, and will be based in Dresden for its first two games before moving to Bielefeld to finish the first stage.
The U.S. will open against Ghana on July 14 before facing Switzerland on July 17, with both games taking place at the Rudolf-Harbig Stadium in Dresden, a newly built 27,000-seat venue that will also host games of the 2011 Women’s World Cup. The U.S. team will then travel to the recently renovated Bielefelder Alm Stadium, a 28,000-seat venue in Bielefeld, to conclude group play against the Koreans.
Updated 06-02-2010
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