Amber Hernandez makes U20 Mexican squad for the FIFA U20 Women World Cup

Amber Hernandez has been selected by the U20 Mexican National Team coaching staff to participate in the FIFA U20 Women World Cup being held in Japan from August 18 – September 8.The team is in Group A with host Japan, New Zealand and Switzerland and will have the honor of inaugurating the World Cup against host Japan in Miyagi, Japan on August 18. On August 22 they will then play Switzerland and will finish off group play against New Zealand in Kobe, Japan on August 26.

On August 4 the team will travel to South Korea where they have friendlies scheduled against the U20 South Korea and China’s U20 Women National Teams which will also be participating in the World Cup.

Amber is the daughter of Esmaldo and Miriam Hernandez of Porterville.

After taking some time off from any international play to concentrate on her school, Amber was called back to participate in a national trainingcamp at the beginning of the year and since then her time has been spent between Mexico City and Porterville.While here in Porterville, Amber also has had to juggle a very busy schedule which involves training, school and practicing with the semi pro women team the Central California Heat of the Women Premier Soccer League which trains in Fresno. Add to all that the coaching she does for the South Valley Chivas Academy which is under direction of her father Esmaldo Hernandez. On those weekends when she is not on the road with the Heat she helps as a referee for the Porterville Soccer League which is the recreational soccer league which was started up last year by the South Valley Chivas Academy.

Because of Amber’s participation with the Mexican Women Youth National Teams, national coach Cuellar is already following a couple of youth girl players from the Chivas academy who have the talent to be incorporated in the Mexican national program.

“Amber is a great inspiration and role model to all our chivas players and it allows them to dream of one day being able to participate in a World Cup”, said Gilbert Hernandez. “We’ve already had the conversation with national coach Leonardo Cuellar and as soon as some of our girls are old enough, they will have their chance to follow in Amber’s footsteps!”

For information on the Mexican Women National teams please visit www.femexfut.org.mx and for the full schedule of the U20 World Cup please visit http://www.fifa.com .