The FIFA Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand got underway July 20 and has taken centerstage in sporting terms for the past two weeks. The final is set for Aug. 20 at Stadium Australia in Sydney.
Among those taking the pitch Down Under is 18-year old forward
Solai Washington of Jamaica. She is entering her senior year of high school at
Chamblee (Ga.), where she led the Bulldogs to the Class AAAAA state title in May after tallying a team-high 42 goals and nine assists in 22 matches.
Chamblee finished the season with 18 consecutive victories after a 2-2 draw in its fourth match of the season. The Bulldogs outscored their opponents 145-8 en route to an unbeaten record of 21-0-1. Washington led the way with four goals and two assists in a 9-0 victory over Greenbrier (Evans) in the state championship game.
Washington is regarded as one of the best players in the Class of 2024 according to
TopDrawerSoccer.com and is committed to play at Duke. She has also maintained a 4.02 GPA in the classroom.
Jamaica has used Washington as a substitute in each of its two World Cup matches. The Reggae Girlz drew 0-0 with France while beating Panama 1-0 for the first win at the event's in the country's history.
Washington will try and help advance to the knockout stage with a win or draw against Brazil Wednesday at 6 a.m. ET.
There are 18 players in the World Cup that are 18 years old or younger. That includes several who played high school soccer in the United States last year:
Genesis Perez Watson, Montverde Academy – Costa Rica
World Cup participant Solai Washington in action during Georgia's Class AAAAA semifinal in May. (Photo: Kenny Grimes)
