PANAMA CITY, Panama — Head coach Vin Blaine has named a starting 11 of nine overseas-based players to face Mexico in their opening game of the CONCACAF Under-20s Women’s Championship at the Romel Fernandez Stadium here today at 7:30 pm.

In what he has described as a “well rounded” team, Blaine has gone for foreign-based Taylor Grant, Shanyce Shaw, Toriana Patterson, Nugene Nugent, Alika Keene, Carla Daniels, Chinyela Asher, Marlo Sweatman, while home-based Trudy Carter (captain) and Renee Freeman complete the line-up.

Other members of the 19-strong squad are Shenika Williams, Sharika Ingram, Khedine Salmon, Sasalee Cooper, Khadija Shaw, Sashagay Spence, Daysia White and Mellisa Bryan.

Haiti and Canada are down to cross swords in the opening game of a double-header set  for 5:00 pm.

In Group A of the qualifying tournament, Jamaica will also engage Canada on Saturday and Haiti on Monday for one of three places available to CONCACAF at the Japan FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup in the summer.

In the eight-nation play-offs, the USA, Guatemala, Cuba and hosts Panama will do battle in Group B.

— Sean Williams