ORLANDO - Genesis Perez Watson and the Costa Rican Women's National Team are set to embark on the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile, following the Knights goalkeeper's inclusion in the squad announcement earlier this month. The Pan American Games, held every four years, are multi-sport events held within countries in the Americas and are a direct qualifier for the Summer Olympics in Paris next year. The 19th edition of the games will mark the first time Chile welcomes 41 participating nations for the 17-day spectacle, spanning from Oct. 20 to Nov. 5.
Costa Rica will begin the tournament with Argentina Oct. 22. It will then take on the United States Oct. 25 before wrapping up group play Oct. 28 with Venezuela. The top-two teams from each group advance to the semifinals Oct. 31 with the hopes of moving on to the gold medal match Nov. 3.
Perez Watson has grown through the ranks of the Costa Rican National Teams, highlighted by three starts for the Costa Rican squad at the 2022 U20 FIFA Women’s World Cup in her home country. The 18-woman squad for the Pan American Games, announced by technical director Beni Rubido, features many of the same names who represented the federation at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, including Perez Watson.
However, with the roster announcement ahead of this month’s games, the Knights' freshman is one of just two goalkeepers who will make the journey south to Chile. Both her ability and pedigree at such a young age continue to place Perez Watson at the heart of Costa Rica’s efforts between the posts. She is one of four players named to the squad under the age of 20 and is the lone collegiate athlete.
Following a bronze finish at the 2019 games in Peru, Perez Watson and the squad will look to qualify through a tough Group B.
For the full schedule, including times and locations, click here.