OLYMPIC QUALIFYING | WOMEN’S SOCCER

GROUP A

Canada

FIFA ranking: 7 The host nation appears to have found its form under new head coach John Herdman. He has tweaked the lineup since the disastrous World Cup experience last year but remains committed to core players like Christine Sinclair, Sophie Schmidt and Kelly Parker. It has been several years since the national team played in Vancouver and Canadian offi cials hope the local crowd gives the squad a clear home- fi eld advantage. Keep an eye on Burnaby South grad Sinclair – “probably the best all- around player in the world,” according to U. S. star forward Abby Wambach.

Costa Rica

FIFA ranking: 41 Head coach Randall Chacon’s squad should give Canada its toughest test in group play. The Costa Ricans fi nished a strong fourth at the 2010 Gold Cup tournament won by Canada and were unbeaten in pre- qualifi cation games for this tourney. The team, seeking its fi rst appearance at a women’s world championship, is led by 26- year- old attacking midfi elder Shirley Cruz, a fi xture for French Ligue 1 side Olympique Lyonnais. Teenage forward Raquel Rodriguez could be a handful for opposing defenders. Veteran goalkeeper Dinnia Diaz will miss the tournament due to a knee injury. Fans should pay attention to Cruz, described by Chacon as the “main reference point” for Costa Rican soccer.

Haiti

FIFA ranking: 62 Two years after a massive earthquake devastated Haiti, the country makes its fi rst appearance in a women’s Olympic qualifying tournament. Haiti has qualifi ed for four CONCACAF Gold Cups, posting one win and two losses in the 2010 tournament. For what it’s worth, the country sailed through its Caribbean qualifying to get to Vancouver – outscoring opponents 13- 1 in its two wins and one draw, with midfi elder Wisline Dolce and striker Roselord Borgella each scoring three times. Veteran forward Adeline Saintilmond, who scored Haiti’s only goal in the 2010 Gold Cup, could be a threat up front.

Cuba

FIFA ranking: 96 The FIFA ranking says Cuba is the smallest minnow of the tournament but the squad drew 1- 1 with Haiti in pre- tournament qualifying. Cuba compiled the same record as Haiti, with two wins and one draw, but fi nished second in its group because of goal diff erence. Cuba has never qualifi ed for a women’s Gold Cup and getting out of the group stage will be a massive task. The squad’s biggest scoring threat could be 20- year- old forward Yesenia Martinez, who scored fi ve goals in three games during the qualifi cation process.

GROUP B

United States

FIFA ranking: 1 The top- ranked team in the world expects nothing but success in Vancouver. Not qualifying for London 2012 is unthinkable and if it happens, would rank as the soccer story of the year. Forwards Abby Wambach, Alex Morgan and Lauren Cheney will test the mettle of opposing back lines. Rising young star forward and Surrey native Sydney Leroux will be keen to come off the bench to show her attacking skills. The Americans are determined and confi dent but not cocky, as they remember the 2- 1 loss to Mexico in the 2010 Gold Cup that forced them to qualify for last year’s World Cup by beating Italy in a twogame series. If you want to focus on one player, try Wambach. You can’t question her strike rate of 122 goals in 163 international appearances.

Mexico

FIFA ranking: 21 Head coach Leonardo Cuellar led his emerging side to two draws and a loss to eventual champions Japan in group play at the World Cup last year. His team’s stunning 2- 1 win over the U. S. at home in November 2010 reminded everyone why they actually play games and don’t just hand out results. Veteran forward Maribel Dominguez leads the Mexican attack, while midfi elder/ forward Dinora Garza’s playmaking abilities create space and attacking options. The tenacious Mexican squad should finish no worse than second in its group and qualify for the semifinals, possibly against Canada. Dominguez, who plays professionally in Spain and once signed a contract to play for a Mexican men’s team, will be worth watching.

Guatemala

FIFA ranking: 85 Coach Raul Calderon hopes familiarity within his squad brings success, as nearly half the roster plays on Guatemalan club side Unifut. The nation qualifi ed for the 2010 Gold Cup but was outscored 11- 0 in three losses, including a 9- 0 reality check to the U. S. Key players are forward Katherine Ramos and midfi elder Ana Martinez, who played together on Guatemala’s U- 20 team. Ramos scored twice in four matches during her country’s unsuccessful 2011 World Cup qualifying campaign.

Dominican Republic

FIFA ranking: 88 Dominican Republic has never qualifi ed for a Gold Cup or World Cup but made it through Caribbean qualifying for this tournament by virtue of 1- 0 wins over Bermuda and Trinidad & Tobago and a 3- 0 win over Dominica. It’s just the second time a Dominican Republic women’s team has made the finals of any CONCACAF championship. Coach Rufi no Sotolongo stresses a defensive style of play that’s anchored by goalkeeper Heidy Salazar. The team is led by 22- year- old attacking midfi elder Johanna Santelis.