By FRANCO PANIZO
The Under-20 U.S. Men’s National Team has left Argentina feeling pretty good about itself.
The U.S. ended its trip to Buenos Aires on Tuesday by playing to a 1-1 draw with Argentina’s U-20s, giving the Americans a 2-0-1 record in the three friendlies they played there during the past week.
Argentina initially went ahead with a goal in the 48th minute, but Tab Ramos’ side responded with a Zach Pfeffer equalizer 13 minutes later.
The U.S. may not have gone a perfect 3-0 during their stay in South America, but the manner in which the players stuck together after falling behind on Tuesday was somewhat similar to how they came back in Saturday’s triumph over Defensa y Justicia’s reserves.
All it took was 15 minutes for the Americans to fall behind, 2-0, on Saturday before Bradford Jamieson sparked the comeback with his first goal of the game in the 17th minute. Paul Arriola equalized for the U.S. before halftime, and Jamieson capped the rally with the winner in the 3-2 affair in the 57th minute.
The U.S. defeated Racing Club’s reserves in their first match, grabbing a 2-0 win on Thursday courtesy of goals from Pfeffer and Romain Gall.
Here are the U.S. lineups for each of the three friendlies:
U-20 U.S. vs. Racing Club reserves: USA: 1-Santiago Castano; 3-John Requejo Jr. (18-Chase Gasper, 46), 5-Erik Palmer-Brown (19-Conor Donovan, 62), 4-Matt Miazga, 2-Shaquell Moore (16-Luis Martir, 46); 6-Russell Canouse, 8-Fernando Arce (14-Junior Flores, 46), 10-Joel Sonora (15-Luis Felipe, 67); 11-Zach Pfeffer, 9-Romain Gall, 7-Paul Arriola (13-Bradford Jamieson, 46)
U-20 U.S. vs. Defensa y Justicia reserves: USA: 1-Jeff Caldwell; 3-Chase Gasper (14-John Requejo Jr., 36), 5-Erik Palmer-Brown, 4-Conor Donovan (18-Matt Miazga, 36), 2-Luis Martir (13-Shaq Moore, 36); 6-Russell Canouse (15-Joel Sonora, 36), 8-Luis Felipe, 11-Junor Flores (20-Zach Pfeffer, 52); 10-Bradford Jamieson, 9-Paul Arriola (16-Romain Gall, 36), 7-Gboly Ariyibi.
U-20 U.S. vs. U-20 Argentina: 1- Santiago Castano; 2- John Requejo Jr., 4- Matt Miazga, 5- Erik Palmer-Brown, 3- Shaq Moore; 7- Paul Arriola, 8- Joel Sonora, 6- Russell Canouse, 9- Bradford Jamieson; 10- Junior Flores; 11- Romain Gall.
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What do you think of the U-20 USMNT’s performance in Argentina? Impressed with the 2-0-1 record? Did anyone’s playing time surprise you?
Share your thoughts below.
It’s too bad Pfeffer can’t get any pt in mls. He’s killing with the u20s
That is pretty impressive for Zach to have tied the game when he is not listed as playing in the U-20 Argentina game
Don’t hate, the kid is just THAT skilled.
Zach Pfeffer always seems to make waves with the US youth teams…wonder if he’ll ever get a shot with Philly’s full squad.
For good or bad he has been called up to the U20 often this year. He did play in a number of games. His one start was forgettable. I am hoping next year we see Zach and Jim McLaughlin in the 18.
This wasn’t even our best team. USA!!!!
We won’t have out best team in qualies. Need the guys we can get to play together and perform. CCAF’s one off qualie system has screwed us recently and hopefully we have learned.
“We won’t have our best team in qualies.”
Great point.
There are some very good prospects on this squad. Hopefully they continue developing, qualify for the U-20s, and show well there as well. Despite a number of exciting players, the one I would say I am most excited about is Romain Gall. Something about his game screams star.
Go Crew!
Very positive. Well done, boys.