Becky all set for huge USA showdown

Becky Spencer is ready for one of the biggest games of her career as Jamaica take on the USA in the CONCACAF W Championship in Mexico this evening (midnight UK, 6pm local).

Places in the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup are up for grabs with the top two from the two groups of four progressing to the semi-finals of the tournament and qualifying directly for the biggest event of all, the World Cup hosted by Australia and New Zealand next year.

Goalkeeper Becky, new team-mate Drew Spence and Jamaica made the perfect start with a crucial 1-0 victory over hosts Mexico in their opener on Monday and now for the acid test, reigning world champions USA, who lifted the last World Cup in France in 2019. Spearheaded by her former Spurs team-mate Alex Morgan, who scored twice, the US beat Haiti 3-0 in their opener.

"I look forward to playing against Alex, she is one of the best forwards in the world," Becky told us from Mexico on Wednesday evening. "Hopefully it will be a good battle between us on the day. We are all aware of the kind of team USA are, a team full of quality, but we have the belief as a group and will treat the game like every other we compete in, so we're relishing the challenge ahead."

Becky, a Spur since 2019, certainly played her part in Jamaica's win against Mexico, including one world-class save in keeping her clean sheet, diving at full length to claw away Carolina Jaramillo's dipping effort with the score at 1-0.

"That win was crucial," reflected Becky. "We all knew how important the first game was and to score so early on and defend a lead for the remainder of the game showed a different side to us and has really given us the platform and belief to push on confidently in the remaining games. It was a real team performance, every member of the team played their part and I was happy to contribute to that positively."

The World Cup is the pinnacle for all footballers, and Becky added: "It would mean everything to make the World Cup. It would certainly be one of the proudest moments of my career to date."

This week's action - Thursday 7 July

Drew Spence, Becky Spencer - Jamaica v USA - CONCACAF W Championship, Monterrey – kick-off 6pm

Friday 8 July

Tinja-Riikka Korpela, Eveliina Summanen - Finland v Spain, UEFA Euro 2022, Milton Keynes - kick-off 5pm

Rosella Ayane - Morocco v Senegal, AFCON, Rabat - kick-off 9pm

Shelina Zadorsky - Canada v Panama, CONCACAF W Championship, Nueva Leon - kick-off 9pm