The U.S. Under-23 men’s national team ended its October window on a high note Tuesday after claiming a second-consecutive victory.
Johan Gomez, Paxten Aaronson, Aidan Morris and Duncan McGuire all found the back of the net in Phoenix as the USMNT U-23’s defeated Japan 4-1. It marked the latest positive result for the USMNT U-23’s, who continue their preparation for next summer’s Paris Olympics.
Marko Mitrovic’s squad raced out to an early lead as Aaronson set up Gomez for the opening goal after just five minutes. Aaronson’s pass on the left side of Japan’s box was slotted home by Gomez for a 1-0 advantage.
Despite conceding an equalizer later in the half, the Americans took a 2-1 lead into the halftime break.
Brandan Craig’s over-the-top ball freed Bernard Kamungo in the 45th minute down the right wing. Kamungo’s eventual pass was tapped home by Aaronson to give the USMNT U-23’s a lead they would not relinquish.
Aidan Morris extended the U-23’s lead to 3-1 in the 57th minute after being left unmarked in the Japan box. Bryan Reynolds played a through ball pass to Morris before the Columbus Crew midfielder rifled a shot into the bottom-left corner.
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Duncan McGuire’s toe-poke finish in the 73rd minute capped the final score at 4-1 after the substitute got onto the end of a free kick. McGuire needed only two minutes to make an impact off the bench.
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The Americans hung on for a comfortable victory, giving Mitrovic his second victory in a row as head coach.