The U.S. Under-20 Men’s National Team found itself in a much tougher match than expected on Thursday, but ultimately used a goal from its most experienced player to move on to the knockout phases.
Tim Weah scored in the 76th minute to help the Americans overcome a sloppy performance in a 1-0 win over Qatar in their Group D finale. The winner came via a cool and exquisite finish that saw Weah pull off a nutmeg cutback on centerback Ahmed Al-Hamawende before firing the shot home.
The result left the Americans in second place in the group, setting up a Round of 16 match on Tuesday against whoever wins Group E between France and Mali.
Midfielder Alex Mendez and Chris Durkin will not be available for that elimination game due to yellow-card accumulation. They both received their second cautions of the tournament in the closing 45 minutes of Thursday’s affair.
The Americans finished the match on top, but it was Qatar that looked the more dangerous side in the first half. The Qataris had the cleanest look of the first 45 minutes, but U.S. goalkeeper David Ochoa made an incredible stop on a 2-on-1 on counterattack after centerback Aboubacar Keita turned the ball over in the American half.
A turnover at the other end opened the door Weah’s winner after the break. Qatar attempted to build up another attack after halting a U.S. attack, but the Americans won the ball back quickly. It was then played into the path of Weah, who showed some of his individual quality by cutting back and firing home.
The U.S. U-20s had two great chances afterwards to put the game away, but failed to capitalize on them. Qatar goalkeeper Shehab Ellethy first denied Alex Mendez on a poorly-taken penalty kick, and then stoned Weah on a 1-on-1 opportunity a few minutes later.
We all can agree that this is Ramos’ best team. His teams in 2017 & 2015 were his best team in those years, also. This match was all on coach. Personnel decisions have plagued the US for well over 30+ years. I’m all things USMNT & Ramos is a excellent coach, may be HC of a pro team after this year but we’ve seen this movie, most recently in T&T, during the hex and with Sarachan as interim coach. As futbol fans, the expectations of this Ramos & team has increased exponentially in 2 years. Simply playing not 2 lose, isn’t good enough.
I’m definitely no expert & I’m not a coach, but it doesn’t take a genius or an athlete to understand the game or the players skill sets. We had 10 players log more than 150 minutes b4 today’s match. 3 players sat, the rest started. Gloster & Richards were the only players, who didn’t look fatigued. The team gave a 100% against Nigeria, which is why I thought would see more players in the 3rd match. 2 players playing out of position, caught yellow cards (Servania, McKenzie). Konrad,(who’s game reminds me of Mo Salah), had no partner, with Dest on the bench, which is further proof, that if Dest sits, so should De La Fuente. Mendez is an 8, not a 10. His penalty miss, & free kicks can be attributed to fatigue. You can say the same about C Durks yellow card & Keita’s, Tim Ream give aways. We were stepping all over Qatar’s players, (we should’ve had 2 red cards). Now, 2 of our best XI won’t play in the knockout round, which could’ve been prevented if Servania & Ledezma are starting.. Servania makes incredible runs from the middle of the 18 but can’t because C Durkin plays the same position and they take up the same space. I like 3 CBs, but McKenzie as a RB/Winger, when he is starting CB was def a head scratcher. Araujo or Real would be better fit. Llanez can play the 10 & RW, but was deployed as a LW, for most of the Concacaf tournament. As soon as he stepped on the pitch, his energy was evident. Soto is a shorter no. 9, so he needs service until his holdup play gets stronger but service died with Mendez playing the 10 & two 6s behind him, which happened vs Ukraine. If we’re calling in dual nationals? Why not play them? Ochoa played well- ?. Wasn’t so optimistic 12 hours ago. Playing not 2 lose, isn’t playing 2 win. As a country, we’ve had a stigma of playing down 2 competition and/or looking 4 refs to bail us out. I am glad we are thru 2 the next round. Interested to see what personnel Ramos will use on June 4.
to be fair though Qatar should’ve had at least 1 red card as well. There was a foul just outside the Qatari box about midway through the 2nd half, perhaps on Llanez (don’t remember specifics) but the Qatari player received a yellow and after seeing how absurdly late and from behind the tackle was on replay I think that should’ve been a red. Also, the Qatari GK played a hell of a game – he was a true general back there.
I am amazed at the stats that show 81% pass accuracy unless you count the number of great passes to Qatar. The decision making is horrible. Can’t count the number of times i had to scream when obvious opportunities were spoiled by a pass taken either to quickly or late and intercepted. And Mendez with his obvious cannon putting all of the great penalty shots in the same spot 5 feet over the goal. Maybe somebody else gets to take one, maybe??
virtually NONE of the spark and energy we saw v. nigeria- like two different teams. gloster and richards looked solid, but horrible from everyone else, including durkin, mendez, de la fuente and yes, weah. almost certainly tired legs, yet why wait so long for subs? flat is putting it mildly.
France did also lose 2-1 to Ukraine last Summer at the Euro Championship and we did draw with France 2-2 in March. Some roster changes from those matches but it should be a match. Just luck of the draw that we were matched against France in Rnd of 16 not a lot of weak group winners.
Good news is that we’re through to the knockouts without playing well at all. The knockouts are a complete restart to the tournament, so we could easily catch fire and make a deep run. The team does have talent.
Obviously it’s better to be playing well. Just thought I’d point that out that there is no forgone conclusion that we will lose to whoever we play. This is a dangerous team that’s not been playing well.
I have been very surprised at how we have looked toothless going forward.
I like Mendez a lot but am looking forward to seeing Lendzma in his spot(just assuming) and with Durkin out I would like to see the kid from FC Dallas who hasn’t played yet. Not sure much of a drop off but the other 2 just haven’t played with this group much of at all.
The defense was bailed out by poor Qater play and finishing. Have to think this d will get shredded against better oppo. If I’m France or Mali I high pressure the backs and force more turnovers and 50/50 balls which they seem to lose. The mids hold and move the ball around well, but not much creativity anywhere.. they barely get the ball in the box for all the possession.
Wow, this was not an easy game by a long shot. Qatar showed up and came out swinging, and quite frankly, were beaten only by a split second of the INDIVIDUAL QUALITY by Weah…….other than that it was back and forth
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??……………………………………………….??
56%……………POSSESSION……………44%
9……………SHOTS ON TARGET……….7
81%………..PASS ACCURACY………….76%
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTp_NT7Ffm4&feature=onebox
Can you experts realize that this team is the strongest Ramos has ever coached? Playing in one of the toughest groups and the only one from the region in 2nd place? In Europe!?!?!!Y’all too thirsty.
Wait…the other teams might be good? How is this possible? At a World Cup? Teams might be good and a factor as to how the other teams play?
Lethargic first half. Lot of tired legs it seems. When Uly and Llanny came on they changed the game. I wish they would’ve been starters. Hindsight. Durkin’s foul was pathetic, foot stomping material. But maybe this works out as there is a possibility Carrillo comes on. But as he hasn’t seen the field yet I wonder if Ramos goes with Pomy Servania and Cerillo with Mendez our due to his two-footed lame lunge and yellow card. Underwhelmed with McKenz as a right back. Think linking him with Richards in the middle is a better idea. I want to see more of Ledezma. And somehow I want a bit better management from Tab during the match. Anyone else feel this way? Qatar for their part were game all match and I appreciated their fight.
For all the talk of the talent this team has they have not yet shown up. Good job making it to the next round. Now is time to step up and show why they are so highly rated. From what I have seen they have really struggled to create chances. Weah has not been involved, Konrad really lacks end product. The CMs rarely getting into the box.
Lets learn from this game and move on a missed penalty good god these are critical moments. If a player is nervous the best shot to take is crossing the shot to near post opposite of shooting leg and shooting the ball hard. We made it to the ko rounds so now it’s all or nothing bring on france because we while be challenged the most with them. Also seems for a more motivated weah since he once played in france.
We looked flat today. Qatar took it to us a bunch, ironically looked better than Nigeria. Mendez and De La Fuente were really off today. Weah was invisible except for the goal and break away. He has a really bad touch and plays better with the senior team for some reason. Losing Durkin will hurt. Not impressed by Servania, but really impressed with Llanez and Ledezma.