The stage is set for the United States Women’s National Team to start their 2015 World Cup campaign. First up, CONCACAF Qualifying against Trinidad & Tobago, Guatemala and Haiti.

CONCACAF drew groups for World Cup Qualifying (also known as CONCACAF Championship) Friday morning, where the Americans learned they will be in Group A. While Group B will feature Costa Rica, Mexico, Jamaica and Martinique.

“An opponent as this point is an opponent standing between us and the World Cup,” U.S. head coach Jill Ellis said. “We will prepare for every team with the same respect, resolve and planning while making sure our focus is on our performance. We will approach every game with the intent of maximizing our points and getting to the semi-final.”

The Americans are well seated in Group A, with a 12-0-0 record against their group opponents. They also managed to avoid CONCACAF’s second best team in the tournament, Mexico, who has presented the USWNT with tough competition in the past.

The Americans will kick off the tournament on October 15 at Sporting Park in Kansas City against Trinidad & Tobago and their coach Randy Waldrum – head coach of the NWSL Houston Dash. Followed by a trip to Toyota Park in Bridgeview Ill., two days later, to take on Guatemala. Ending the group stage at RFK Stadium in Washington D.C. on October 20 against Haiti.

Group B will follow the same venue pattern- Kansas, Bridgeview and Washington D.C.- but play one day later, Oct. 16, 18 and 21.

The top two teams from each group will enter into a semi-final round, with winners from semi-final earning a trip to CONCACAF Championship final, but more importantly a spot in 2015 World Cup. The teams on the losing end of the semi-final games, will play a third place game, with the winner earning a berth to the World Cup. The fourth place team will meet a third place team from the South America contingency for final change to reach Canada.

All games will be broadcast on Fox Sports 1, Fox Sports 2 and Fox Soccer Plus.

2014 CONCACAF Women’s Championship 
Women’s World Cup Qualifying


GROUP A 


USA

Guatemala

Haiti

Trinidad & Tobago

GROUP B 


Mexico

Costa Rica

Jamaica

Martinique

2014 CONCACAF Women’s Championship Schedule

Date Opponent Time (ET) Venue
Oct. 15 Guatemala vs. Haiti 6 p.m. Sporting Park; Kansas City, Kan.
USA vs. Trinidad 8:30 p.m. Sporting Park; Kansas City, Kan.
Oct. 16 Costa Rica vs. Mexico 6 p.m. Sporting Park; Kansas City, Kan.
Jamaica vs. Martinique 8:30 p.m. Sporting Park; Kansas City, Kan.
Oct. 17 Haiti vs. Trinidad 6:30 p.m. Toyota Park; Bridgeview, Ill.
USA vs. Guatemala 9 p.m. Toyota Park; Bridgeview, Ill.
Oct. 18 Martinique vs. Mexico 4 p.m. Toyota Park; Bridgeview, Ill.
Costa Rica vs. Jamaica 6:30 p.m. Toyota Park; Bridgeview, Ill.
Oct. 20 Trinidad vs. Guatemala 5 p.m. RFK Stadium; Washington, D.C.
Haiti vs. USA 7:30 p.m. RFK Stadium; Washington, D.C.
Oct. 21 Mexico vs. Jamaica 5 p.m. RFK Stadium; Washington, D.C.
Martinique vs. Costa Rica 7:30 p.m. RFK Stadium; Washington, D.C.
Oct. 24 1st A vs. 2nd B 4:30 p.m. PPL Park; Chester, Pa.
1st B vs. 2nd A 7:30 p.m. PPL Park; Chester, Pa.
Oct. 26 Third-Place Match 3 p.m. PPL Park; Chester, Pa.
Championship 5 p.m. PPL Park; Chester, Pa.