Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG - Next week, the U.S. Under-20 Women's National Team will open the 2018 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup with its first match against Japan, and Virginia Tech women's soccer junior Mandy McGlynn is one of three goalkeepers on the squad representing both the Hokies and the United States on the 21-player roster.
McGlynn has been training with the U-20 program for over a year now and helped the team to a runner-up finish in the 2018 CONCACAF qualifier back in January as she posted a 3-1 record in four starts as the team advanced to the World Cup (view story here).
Since that appearance, the Jacksonville, Florida native played for the team in the La Manga Tournament (view story here) and was in two other training camps preparing for the chance to make the final roster, which she did when it was announced on July 17.
"Mandy's got this tremendous opportunity to represent our country, and anytime you get that opportunity, you have to take it," Virginia Tech women's soccer head coach Charles "Chugger" Adair said. "For her, where she's grown with us and with the national team, it's been important for her to get this opportunity.
"I don't know how she's going to do, because there is some real competition between her and the other goalkeepers, in terms of getting playing time, but hopefully she gets some starts and gets to play in the World Cup. I think they can put a run together, and they really have a shot at winning the U-20 World Cup and I think Mandy can be an integral part of that.
"It's a once in a lifetime opportunity for her, and, yes we are going to miss her, but it's a team sport and we have a number of other kids that can step up and do the job at the goalkeeper spot and help in our overall core defending. We are going to support her with the US team and will be ready for her when she returns."
Taking place in the Brittany region of northwestern France, the U-20 Women's World Cup is being held from August 5-24 with the Americans playing next Monday (Aug. 6) and Thursday (Aug. 9 vs. Paraguay) both with 1:30 (ET) kickoffs. The final game of its Group C schedule is Monday, Aug. 13 versus Spain with a 7:30 a.m. start time.
The knockout phase of the tournament begins on August 16 with the title game set for Friday, Aug. 24 and fans can follow all the action on the FIFA page (click here). Also, the United States' U-20 page (click here) will have coverage of the tournament and through its social channels, mostly @ussoccer_YNT. All group games will be broadcast on FS2.