U.S. U-20 Men's National Team Thumps New Zealand 4-0 to Advance to World Cup Quarterfinals
It was a one-sided affair on Tuesday afternoon when the U.S. Under-20 Men’s National Team pummeled New Zealand 4-0 in the Round of 16 of the FIFA U-20 World Cup.
U.S. Forward Owen Wolff kicked things off in the 15th minute of the match, taking the ball from the top of the box and slotting the ball past the New Zealand goalkeeper into the back left corner of the net to make it 1-0 early in the match.
In the second half, U.S. Forward Cade Cowell continued his World Cup hot streak by extending the United States lead to 2-0 in the 61st minute after placing the ball perfectly past the keeper into the bottom right corner of the net. The red, white, and blue continued to pour it on the Kiwi’s in the second half with Defender Justin Che’s rebounded goal in the 75th minute, followed by Midfielder Rokas Pukstas header off of a beautiful, unmarked set piece in the 82nd minute to end New Zealand’s hopes at a U-20 World Cup run.
The United States kept most of the possession and finished with a massive 22-3 shot advantage over New Zealand with eight shots on target. Cowell has scored in three straight games for the United States, netting five goals within his first ten caps for the red, white, and blue. Midfielder Diego Luna took advantage of the out-wide space for the United State and recorded two assists and is currently one of five goal-scorers for the United States during their World Cup campaign.
The United States will face the winner of the Uruguay/Gambia match on Sunday, June 4.
U.S. U-20 Women's National Team Defeats Canada 5-2; Secures Top Spot In Group A to Advance in CONCACAF U-20 Championship
The U.S. Under-20 Women’s Youth National Team took down Canada 5-2 to solidify the top spot in Group A of the CONCACAF Under-20 Women’s Championship and it didn’t take long for the U.S. to capitalize.
In the third minute, Canada was playing out of the back where the midfielder passed the ball back to the goalkeeper inside of the box. U.S. Forward Madeline Dahlien pressed the keeper and netted the ball into the goal with her first touch from close distance to make it an early 1-0 lead.
By the 11th minute, the red, white, and blue netted their second goal, courtesy of U.S. Midfielder Jasmine Aikey’s beautiful through ball and U.S. Forward Ally Sentnor’s powerful ten-yard missile to make it 2-0. As the halftime whistle approached, the United States earned a penalty in the 46th minute with Defender Gisele Thompson placing the ball in the corner of the net to make it 3-0 for Canada.
Though the second half would be an uphill battle, the Canadians were able to score within the first ten minutes of the second half whistle being blown. The United States were called for a handball inside of the box, resulting in Canadian Forward Amanda Allen pulling one goal back for Canada to make it 3-1 with over 35 minutes left to play.
However, the United States were able to capitalize immediately with an Ally Sentnor brace from the left side of the box to extend the United States lead to 4-1. The United States received a gift in the 61st minute, as Canadian Defender Zoe Markesini’s own goal made it an insurmountable 5-1 lead. Though Canada’s Nyah Rose was able to net one more goal to make it 5-2, Canada finishes second in the group with one loss to the United States.
The United States finished Group A with a 3-0-0 record, with 13 goal differential and two goals allowed. With three straight wins and nine points in the United States pocket, the red, white and blue will take on Costa Rica in the semifinal on Friday for a berth to play in the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.