Taylor, Espinoza Headed to World Cup
CORVALLIS – Former Oregon State women’s soccer player Jodie Taylor and future Beaver Greta Espinoza have are both set to compete in this summer’s FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada, as Taylor has been selected to the England squad and Espinoza has been chosen to represent Mexico.
England and Mexico were both drawn into the same group for the event, alongside France and Colombia, and will both open play on June 9, before going head-to-head on June 13. The knockout phase will begin on June 21, with the final scheduled for July 5.
Taylor has eight caps with England’s Senior National Team, helping the squad to a 5-2-1 record in her appearances. She has scored four goals in an England shirt, since making her debut on March 8, 2014 against Sweden. Taylor is also currently playing professionally for Portland Thorns FC, making one start for the squad this season before missing several weeks due to injury.
The forward from Mersyside, England is Oregon State’s career leader with 47 goals, leading the team in points each of her four years (2004-07). During her tenure, Taylor earned Pac-10 First Team honors four times, as well as a trio of NSCAA Far West All-Region honors.
Espinoza signed a National Letter of Intent with the Beavers this winter, and is set to join Oregon State for the 2015 season. The incoming freshman centerback has played for Mexico at the U17 and U20 World Cups, appearing in all three matches at each tournament. Notably, Espinoza helped the Mexican U17 squad to a 2-0 win over New Zealand in 2012 and was part of the U20 squad that earned 1-1 draws against England and Nigeria at last summer’s tournament.
Oregon State head coach Linus Rhode describes Espinoza as a player “with the ability to play centerback and outside back. Greta has worked very hard to get this stage in her career.”
