Photo by Omar Martinez/ISIphotos.com
By FRANCO PANIZO
While the U.S. men's national team was attempting to find a way to crack Paraguay's defense in Nashville, the Under-20 national team was busy pummeling Suriname's in its World Cup qualifying opener in Guatemala City.
The U.S. U-20s got one step closer to qualifying for this summer's World Cup in Colombia, defeating Suriname, 4-0, in their Group B opener at the CONCACAF championships. Bobby Wood, Joe Gyau and Conor Doyle each scored as Thomas Rongen's side jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first half, and Kelyn Rowe capped the scoring with a late goal.
The win gave the U.S. team first place in Group B, which also includes Panama. The United States will reach the quarterfinal stage of qualifying with a victory over Panama on April 2, but the U.S. U-20s would also clinch a place in the next round should Panama top Suriname on Thursday.
The United States-Panama match, scheduled for an 8 p.m. first kick, can be seen on ESPN3.com or ESPN Deportes.
Here is the U.S. U-20 national team's lineup against Suriname:
Zac MacMath; Greg Garza, Gale Agbossoumonde, Perry Kitchen, Zarek Valentin; Amobi Okugo (Moises Orozco, 46), Sebastian Lletget, Kelyn Rowe (Sebastien Ibeagha, 82); Bobby Wood (Omar Salgado, 70), Conor Doyle, Joe Gyau
Unused substitutes: Eder Arreola, Cody Cropper, Moises Hernandez, Sacir Hot
Unavailable substitutes: Dillon Powers, Korey Veeder
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What do you think of the U.S. U-20 national team's 4-0 win? Which players impressed you?
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