September 12, 2002 - Massachusetts and FIFA referee Rachel Woo of Auburndale was recently selected by CONCACAF officials as a referee for the 2002 Women's Gold Cup Finals. Woo has had a tremendous year working extensively in the Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA), capping the season on the crew of officials for the WUSA Founders Cup in Atlanta on August 24, 2002.
Scheduled to take place in the United States and Canada from October 27 through November 2, 2003, the 2002 Women's Gold Cup Finals is a very important tournament. Its top two finishers will earn automatic berths into next year's FIFA Women's World Cup 2003 China PR. The third-place winner in the Women's Gold Cup to face the third-placed team in the Asian Football Confederation qualifying tournament for the final spot headed to China PR.
Woo teams up with other FIFA referees Sandra Hunt, Kari Seitz, and Sharon Wheeler represending the United States. As Esse Baharmast, U.S. Soccer's Director of Advanced and International Referee Development observes, "We have managed to have ALL of our female referees invited to this tournament, which is not only the Championships of CONCACAF, but also will serve as the qualification for the 2003 World Cup in China." This is a tremendous achievement.
Please join in congratulating Rachel Woo and wishing her well in the Women's Gold Cup!