By RYAN TOLMICH
Despite a tumultuous start to the CONCACAF U-20 Championships, the U.S. Under-20 Men’s National Team completed an impressive tournament by posting a fourth straight shutout win to seal a spot in this summer’s U-20 World Cup.
Led by goals from Ben Spencer and Paul Arriola, the U.S. picked up a 2-0 victory Saturday over El Salvador in a one-game playoff . With the victory, the U.S. will head to New Zealand for the U-20 World Cup, which is set to take place from May 30 – June 20.
Struggling to move the ball on the ground due to field conditions, Spencer and the U.S. took to the air to score the opening goal in the 37th minute.
Spencer’s height proved too much for El Salvador on the opening goal, as he headed a long free kick off the goal frame and followed up by heading home the rebound to make the score 1-0 in the 37th minute.
El Salvador had a chance to level the scoreline early in the second half through a penalty kick, but goalkeeper Zack Steffen made a stunning save on the penalty attempt, diving to his right to deny El Salvador’s Jose Villavicencio, parrying the ball wide on what was El Salvador’s first legitimate chance of the night.
The U.S. added some much-needed breathing room in the 68th minute through Arriola, as the substitute tapped home a rebound to double the U.S. lead.
Substitute Junior Flores started the sequence, darting past the El Salvador defense before centering a pass to Bradford Jamieson IV. The ensuing shot was saved, but Arriola pounced on the rebound, banking a shot off of an El Salvador defender for an insurance goal the Americans sorely needed.
El Salvador never mounted much of a threat after that, and faded after an 80th minute red card reduced the underdogs to 10 men.
What did you think of the match? Who impressed you for the Americans? Who are you hoping to see on the U.S. Under-20 World Cup team this summer?
Share your thoughts below.