By IVES GALARCEP
The U.S. Under-20 Men’s National Team is a step away from becoming the first American team to reach the semifinals of the Under-20 World Cup, but first the Americans must dispose of a tough Serbia team (12:30am, Fox Sports 2/Telemundo).
The U.S. Under-20s enter the match having grinded out a tough 1-0 win against Colombia in the Round of 16, and will have to overcome the absences of multiple regulars due to injury and suspension.
SBI will be providing live commentary on tonight’s action so please feel free to follow the action here. As always, you are welcome to share your thoughts and opinions in the comments section below.
Enjoy the action (Tonight’s Live Commentary is after the jump):
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This was like one time in a 100 yrs. Many talented US kids converged to form the team nucleus which included dual nationals who fell on Ramos lap. it will be tough for Tab to get another U-20 like this one.
Serbia was better on the pitch and at PKs.
Considering we were missing Canouse, Tall, and Jamieson IV, this was a good showing by the kids. Can’t be mad at the effort they put forth. The future is still bright for our national team.
Remember we were once an English colony……
Steffen, Carter-Vickers, Miazga, Payne, Arriola, Rubin, Hyndman, Zelalem, Jamieson, Tall, all showed flashes in the tourney of being players for the future as individuals. Main problem with this squad was, beyond Arriola, there was ZERO toughness in the midfield. This team needed a physical presence in the middle of the field, and Delgado just couldn’t provide it.
Canouse was really ended up being a huge loss
That steel was playing left back in Acosta or on the bench in EBP
Terrible penalties. Really harsh way to go out after PKs like that. Rubin way too fancy. CCV tried to do too much. Requejo was poor all night and capped it off with a pitiful PK.
Serbia probably the better side over 120′, but the heroics of Steffen should have booked us a ticket to the semis.
Steffen and CCV could easily be starters in 2022 WC. Arriola, Hyndman, Rubin, Zelalem, Payne and Miazga could all be fixtures for the full national team in the not so distant future. Encouraging performance from the U20s, but an unfortunate way to exit.
This is the best summary. Serbia was the better team for 120′ (although, I did not think that they were as good as Colombia – so US could/should have beat them). Poorly taken penalties costs us. However, I will not bag on CCV. He was a beast today and all tournament. Rubin should put it away in the first penalty. The team effectively wasted Steffen’s heroics.
It’s a bit early, but what you want out of every youth tournaments is real prospects for the senior team, and does the US ever have some: Payne, Arriola, Rubin, Hyndman, CCV, Miazga, Rubin, Zelalem, Steffen. Didn’t see enough of Tall, but liked him too. Steffen looks good…Really good. It has a lot more to do with his positioning and command. of the area (and also a good shot stopper). He impresses me more than Cropper (although U23 skill level is higher, if you watch it).
I’m pulling for an All-African final. They look like the two best teams left. I would normally pull for Brazil, but they are not a good team, not deserve to be there.
Players that dance on their approach to a PK deserve to miss.
Its okay if they’re latin
Watch to much Ronaldo and co. Tried to be fancy. Overall good world cup. Could have gotten to Finals against Brazi .
I am not so sure Brazil will get by Senegal. Too bad, I think the best team (Portugal) lost today. I watched the Mali team a few times. They are fast and all offense. I don’t know it Serbia can get by them either. The best 3 teams are gone (Ghana, Germany, Portugal). This definitely would have been USMNT’s best chance to date.
Rubin’s penalty was prettg bad to. Tried to be cute. Needed to pick a side and drill it hard.