(Reuters) – Chile will have to do without a specialist goalkeeper when they play the final of the women’s soccer tournament at the Pan Am Games against Mexico on Friday.
Local media reported that Luis Mena’s team would use striker Franchesca Caniguan in goal after both their specialist keepers left the squad to return to their clubs, with the match falling outside FIFA’s official international dates.
Veteran goalkeeper Christiane Endler announced her international retirement following the semi-final against the United States.
Endler had agreed in advance that she would return to her club Olympique Lyonnais in France regardless of whether Chile reached the final.
She ended her 14-year international career with 104 caps.
Substitute goalkeeper Antonia Canales had to return to her club Valencia after the Spanish side recalled her due to an injury to their first-choice goalkeeper Enith Salon Marcuello.
Chile are going for a golden Pan Am Games soccer double with the men’s team facing Brazil in the final on Saturday.
(Reporting by Angelica Medina in Mexico City; Editing by Toby Davis)
