Wisconsin Soccer Central

The draw for this summer's FIFA Under-20 Women's World Cup in Canada was held Saturday in Montreal, and the U.S. team – which likely will include University of Wisconsin midfielder Rose Lavelle – landed in the toughest of the four groups.

The Americans will open play in the tournament on Aug. 5 in Edmonton against the same team they played to close out the 2012 event in Japan: Germany. The U.S. beat the Germans 1-0 in the final two years ago, after losing to them 3-0 in group play.

After the championship rematch to start Group B, the Americans will face South American champion Brazil on Aug. 8 in Edmonton and will close out group play Aug. 12 against China in Moncton.

Lavelle and the U.S. swept a pair of friendlies against China this week in Lakewood Ranch, Fla., winning 3-0 on Wednesday and 5-1 Saturday. Lavelle, who was awarded the Golden Ball as MVP of the CONCACAF Under-20 Women's Championships as the U.S. cruised to the regional title in January in the Cayman Islands, played the first half in the first matchup and the full 90 minutes in the second game.

At least one other UW player is expected to be part of the Under-20 Women's World Cup: Canadian midfielder Kinley McNicoll.

The host team was one of the four seeded teams – the U.S., South Korea and France were the others – and was drawn into Group A. Canada opens against Ghana on Aug. 5, then takes on Finland on Aug. 8 and closes pool play against North Korea on Aug. 12.

The top two finishers in each group advance to the quarterfinals on Aug. 16 and 17. The semifinals are Aug. 20, with the final and third-place match set for Aug. 24. UW hasn't announced its 2014 schedule, but last season the Badgers' opener was Aug. 23.

Under-20 Women's World Cup groups
Group A: Canada, Ghana, Finland, North Korea
Group B: Germany, United States, China, Brazil 
Group C: England, South Korea, Mexico, Nigeria 
Group D: New Zealand, Paraguay, France, Costa Rica