Dec. 8, 2008
SANTIAGO, Chile (UCFAthletics.com) - Entering the 2008 FIFA Under-20 Women's Soccer World Cup, the United States was certainly one of the favorites to do some damage in the event. And with UCF head coach Amanda Cromwell part of the coaching staff, the Americans lived up to their expectations by defeating defending champion North Korea in the final, 2-1, on Dec. 7 to claim their second World Cup trophy since 2002.
Cromwell was serving as an assistant coach for Tony DiCicco, and the staff played a key role in helping the U.S. earn the FIFA Fair Play Award as well. The U.S. victory capped an incredible season for the Women's National Team programs, which advanced to the championship game of all three FIFA women's tournaments in 2008, winning the 2008 Olympics and the U-20 World Cup while placing second in the U-17 World Cup.
The U.S. found its legs against North Korea after the 20th minute, and quickly secured a 2-0 lead before halftime. Although it gave up a goal in stoppage time, the World Cup trophy was never in doubt. The Americans surrendered only three goals in the entire tournament, which ranked first of all countries participating.
For Cromwell, she has been a staple in the U.S. Soccer program since 1991. The 10th-year leader of the Knights played with the U.S. National Team from 1991-98, guiding it to third at the 1995 FIFA Women's World Cup and was an alternate for the 1996 gold-medal winning squad after recovering from a serious injury. Cromwell was also on the coaching staff for the 2007 U-14 National Development ID Camp.
Back in Orlando, Cromwell led UCF to a 14-6-3 record and a No. 18 national ranking during the 2008 season. The Knights made their 13th trip to the NCAA Tournament, which stands as the most of any school in the Sunshine State.
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