Caribbean hopefuls Guyana and Puerto Rico will be aiming to disrupt the regional hierarchy when they face off against perennial powerhouses United States and Costa Rica, respectively, in the opening Group A matches of the Concacaf Women’s Under-20 Championship on Friday.

The action unfolds at Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto in Alajuela, Costa Rica, as the prestigious youth tournament continues its quest to crown the region’s top teams and determine the four semifinalists that will qualify for the 2026 FIFA Under-20 Women's World Cup.

United States, a 13-time participant and one of the most dominant teams in the competition’s history, are eyeing redemption after finishing as runners-up in the last edition. Their young squad is spearheaded by attacking prodigy Kennedy Fuller, who already boasts a glittering resume.

Fuller was named Best Player at the 2022 Concacaf Girls' Under-15 Championship, top scorer at the 2024 Concacaf Women’s Under-17 Championship, and she was instrumental in the USA’s third-place finish at the 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.

But standing in their way is a Guyanese team brimming with belief. The Lady Jags impressed during the qualifiers and will look to striker Se-Hanna Mars to replicate her goalscoring form, having netted three of their six goals in the previous round.

Meanwhile, host nation Costa Rica will look to leverage home-field advantage when they take on Puerto Rico in the day’s second Group A clash. Las Ticas arrive with momentum, having cruised through the qualifiers with a flawless three-match unbeaten record. Much of their attacking thrust comes from Sheika Scott, who found the net five times during qualifying.

Puerto Rico, however, also brings confidence into the encounter after an unbeaten qualifying campaign. The likes of Ashley McMahon and Analisse Cheema will be crucial if Las Boricuas are to start their campaign with an upset.