USA to host U-20 World Cup qualifying tourney

For the first time since 1980, the United States will host a qualifying tournament for the U-20 World Cup.

Blackbaud Stadium in Charleston, S.C., will be the venue for the Nov. 13-17 tournament that will determine two of the CONCACAF regionÆs four qualifiers for the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship in the United Arab Emirates (March 25-April 16).

The USA, Canada, the Central American runner-up and the winner from a Caribbean playoff will compete in a round-robin tournament in South Carolina, with the top two finishers qualifying for the world championship.

The CONCACAF regionÆs other final-round qualifying tournament will be held in Panama Oct. 16-20, 2002. The top two finishers from that tournament — Panama, Mexico, first-place Central America, Caribbean playoff winner — also qualify.