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USMNT U-20s rout Suriname to top Concacaf Championships first group stage

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The U.S. U-20 Men’s National Team completed its dominant display in Concacaf Championship group stage play with another romp.

Ayo Akinola scored a first-half brace while Mark McKenzie and Alex Mendez each added goals in the U.S. U-20 team’s 7-0 win over Suriname on Friday.

The Americans move on to the second phase of the Concacaf Championships, where they will face Honduras and Costa Rica. The top two teams in that group automatically qualify for the 2019 Under-20 World Cup, while the group winner will play in the Concacaf Championship final on Nov. 21.

The U.S. U-20s went into Friday’s match with Suriname essentially assured of topping the group, but removed any doubts by pummeling the second-place team in the group.

Mendez’s fifth-minute free kick opened things in Bradenton as the midfielder curled a left-footed shot into the bottom-right corner.

McKenzie scored his third goal of the competition, heading home from a corner in the 26th minute.

Akinola extended the U.S.’s lead to 4-0 with a quick brace to close out the first-half.

Juan Pablo Torres added a fifth in the second-half before Justin Rennicks tapped in his first of the night, finishing off a pass from Chris Gloster to make it 6-0.

The Americans closed out the scoring in the 83rd minute when Manny Perez drew a penalty kick, which Mendez converted.

The U.S. U-20s will have a week off now, with head coach Tab Ramos left with the decision on what changes to make to his roster for the next group phase. He can make up to six changes to his squad, but is more likely to only make two or three changes.

Comments

  1. This phase of the tournament has been a total waste of these kids time. I hope Concacaf drops this format next time around. They shouldn’t have to play every other day for a week and a half to prove they can whip tiny island nations.

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    • Depends what the alternative is…. I’d rather they have a camp and some scrimmages like this, than simply stay home and go into the final phase cold, having not played together as a group.

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    • I agree with GP. Even if the opponents are not that strong, these are still opportunities for the U20s to play meaningful matches together and work out the kinks. That is never a waste of time.

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    • True that. And I for one wouldn’t mind if our youngsters would learn not to take for granted their ability to whup up on some semi-pros from an island CONCACAF country. Never know when that might cost you big time.

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  2. A couple of years ago Honduras knocked us out of one of the youth qualifying tournaments and Costa Rica is always tough, so the next round is likely to be difficult. I’d feel better if Ramos could call in a couple of players like Sargent and Weah.

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