The U.S. Under-20 men’s national team’s World Cup run came to an emotional ending on Sunday night in Chile.
Morocco eliminated the United States by a 3-1 scoreline in quarterfinal action on Sunday. Cole Campbell scored the Americans only goal of the match but a Josh Wynder own goal and a Gessime Yassine insurance tally condemned the USMNT U-20’s to second best in the match.
It marked the fifth-straight World Cup quarterfinal elimination loss for the USMNT U-20’s.
Morocco struck first in the 31st minute as Fouad Zahouani finished off Othmane Maamma’s pass for a 1-0 lead. VAR reviewed the goal and deemed it valid as Mohammed Ouahb’i’s squad grabbed a first-half advantage.
However, the lead would only last 14 minutes as Campbell equalized for the Americans in first-half stoppage time. Ali Maamar brought down Nolan Norris in the box, allowing Borussia Dortmund winger Campbell to step up and score from the penalty spot.
With both teams fighting back and forth for a go-ahead goal, it would be Morocco who received a fortunate bounce. A long throw-in from the sidelines deflected into the back of the net off of Wynder, making it 2-1 Morocco.
Yassine would add the dagger blow for Morocco in the 87th minute, ending the Americans’ quest of reaching the final four. A mix-up between Taha Habroune and Adam Beaudry allowed Morocco to pounce on a loose ball and punish them for the error.
Morocco will now advance to face either France or Norway in the semifinals while the U.S. players head back to their respective clubs.
Finally get to watch the replay, the only goal that came off the counter attack was the last one when we were pushing everyone forward to try to tie. That first goal comes from a goal kick. Westfield challenges for a header he has no chance to win (if he stays home he probably steals and starts a counter of our own) then Raines gets beat to the second ball because both Westfield and Raines are chasing the play Kohler has to shift wide. Neither Norris or Beaudry deal with the cross so Wydner has to come to deal with the rebound. Then Corcoran, Raines, and Kohler are ball watching.
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And it’s a pretty obvious shirt tug with the left hand and then the right arm is yanking Raines as well around the neck. That’s what’s crap about this Video review process, you’re asking the ref to admit he was wrong and it’s all up to him. No VAR going no look at this it’s clear and obvious 10 yanks the jersey to gain an advantage and yanks him again with his other arm, we think you missed it.
The USA at all level lets in really easy goals. Fundamental rule of soccer. It is easier to gift goals than to earn them. We gifted 2. The big boys gifted Ecuador one the other night as well. This really has to stop.
I think the first 2 goals were just bad luck. The last one was a huge mistake by the GK. There was no good reason for him to come out of his area.
With all seriousness Landon Donovan and Michael Bradley should be the next U20 coaches. Landon has been a head coach for San Diego USL team and Bradley can still keep his RedBull academy gig and be Landons assistant.
Wynder is an Enigma did known goal in two games this tournament and one at the 2023 u20 wc. I am nervous about his future and debuting for senior Usmnt in next 4 to5 years.
Those were two unfortunate own goals to be honest. He has a bright future.
Beaudry on the other hand was not a commanding GK and quite frankly his positioning was very suspect on all goals scored on him during this tournament.
No striker the last two cycles (also no real striker at Olympics). Last time at least we had Pepi who wasn’t released, but this time there was nobody. Both Figueroa and Zambrano have failed to develop in the last few years. Justin Ellis is ranked as the best 18 yr old but he plays as a 10 for Orlando B. Alexander Staff is the best 17 yr old but he’ll be on Germany’s U17 team at the WC. Julian Hall will probably split time with Chase Adams at U17 WC, but is more likely a winger as he ages. Jakupovic is the best rated of the 16 yr olds and has 8g in 16app in Next Pro this year. USSF has been having youth identity camps to widen their scope this fall, but it will be awhile before that pays off.
There is 18 year old striker at Leipzig who is on the current US u19 team I believe. Din Klapija. See how he develops.
RBL has been playing him as a winger. In 32 Junior A Bundesliga appearances 6g 1a that’s over 3 years. None of those came against academy teams from the Bundesliga. He’s got goals against Norway, Japan, and Australia at U18 and U19 levels but he’s not screaming I’m going to push for a spot in the next 5 yrs. He is eligible for next U20. Not in camp this week with ‘07s but perhaps that’s to let him be with the RBL first team. Croatia still in the mix for him too. Jykese Fields from Hoffenheim and the previously mentioned Ellis are the others who have been with that U18 group. None of the three look much better than Zambrano. With two of them in the Bundesliga academy system they’re unlikely to get pro minutes before the next WC either and if they do they will not be released.
Feels a little unlucky, we did boss possession, had so many corners. Morocco didn’t have many shots at all, I think they scored on each one. I can’t recall our keeper making a save…feel like those plays could have been cleaned up by a commanding keeper. On the other hand, it was a masterclass by Morocco in counterattacking soccer. Despite our 70% possession, we only had a couple good chances, and when they broke out it was direct, with purpose, and they buried their chances. Still can’t understand why the USMNT doesn’t at least consider this kind of tactic, if only occasionally. Being obsessed with possession has won us what exactly? The peak USMNT is still Bob Bradleys team (’09?) that beat Spain and had Brazil on the ropes in the confed final. And we played how? Defend and counter.
I would gladly watch defend and counter if it means we win.
I would gladly watch defend and counter if it means we win.
I would gladly watch defend and counter if it means we win.
Had Brazil on the ropes? After they scored one minute after the US was on the ropes the whole second half. Everybody knew the US was done is was just if time would run out before we hit the canvas. As for defend and counter. We’re pretty crappy at the defend part. Correct me if I’m wrong don’t you need strong shot stopping keepers and positionally disciplined defenders to do that? This U20 didn’t have that and the NT doesn’t either. Against Mexico in Gold Cup they forced us to sit deep and try to counter and our best defender Tyler Adams lost discipline and raced to cover a guy without the ball leaving his man wide open near the top of the box. Pass to that guy passes Jimenez who fires it in. Then we give up a set piece because we fouled a player that was not in a dangerous position and then had one guy lose discipline and drop play the goal scorer onside because everyone else held.
Can we have Tsakiris just take our corner kicks?
That was a hard watch. Low intensity. A lot of standing around. Afraid to play forward because there seemed so afraid of the counter. Cole Campbell was terrible. There was a run of three possessions in row where he misplayed passes right to Morocco. And that was the only three passes he attempted in the game….and then tantrumed when he was subbed.
Yeah I’m not seeing it with Campbell. Maybe if he works on his right foot he will be better in the future. He literally dribbles right into pressure every time. Hard to see him being even an option for the USMNT anytime in the next few years. Cade Cowell has more attacking ability and he hasn’t progressed enough in the past two years.
Well at least we are a perennial QF team. Knockout games arent about how pretty you play. Its about being locked in and tough. Onto the next cycle.
This team played right into how Morocco has been all tournament long. Stout defensively hit you on some counters and wait for you to make a defensive mistake.