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In match day two of Group F play, the United States Under-20 National Team takes on group leader Senegal. Game time is a little more favorable to all those on the east coast than Monday’s, but you will still need to get up at the crack of dawn to see the U.S. in action at 7 a.m. ET on Thursday (May 25).
In its first game of the 2017 Under-20 World Cup, the U.S. played in a thrilling, come-from-behind 3-3 draw against Ecuador. The Americans were slow coming out of the gates, and after just seven minutes found themselves down two goals. Josh Sargent’s brace tied the game at two, but Ecuador would again pull out in front as Bryan Cabezas capitalized on a Jonathan Klinsmann giveaway. Ecuador looked to have the game in the bag, but the U.S. continued to throw men forward. Luca De La Torre scored in stoppage time to seal a point for the young Americans.
It was a day to remember for Sargent. The former U-17 MNT captain earned his first U-20 cap, became just the sixth U.S. player to score multiple goals in the U-20 World Cup, and also became the youngest American to score in this tournament. Four of the other five players to score multiple goals were in the top three scoring at the end of the World Cup.
Senegal recorded its biggest margin of victory in tournament history as it beat Saudi Arabia, 2-0. The scoreline could have been even worse for Saudi Arabia, though, as the African side had numerous near misses and Saudi Arabian goalkeeper Mohammed Alyami made clutch saves to keep his side in the match. Although possession was split, Senegal's 21 shots, six on target, shows just how threatening it is with the ball. Compared to the Americans’ 61% possession and just six shots against Ecuador, this is a key part of the match to look out for.
Gedion Zelalem’s World Cup may be over, as the Arsenal midfielder went down in the first half and could not return. The story for the U.S. is its defense. After giving up a total of four goals in the CONCACAF tournament, the young Nats. gave up three in one game. Orlando City’s Tommy Redding got beat twice on Monday, in which the end results were Ecuadorean goals. The young center back did not have the speed to keep up. On the third goal, U.S. goalkeeper Jonathan Klinsmann took one too many touches and made a poor pass, resulting in an easy goal for the opposition.
There are many changes that could be made to secure the defense. Erik Palmer-Brown could go back to the midfield where he played in qualification. Cameron Carter-Vickers, who missed Monday’s game through injury, could go back in the starting XI. And recent addition Auston Trusty could see some playing time. Whatever the decision, the U.S. needs its strong defense to return if the Americans are going to beat the strong attacking forces from Senegal.
Group F
| Teams | GP | Pts | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teams | GP | Pts | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD |
| Senegal | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Ecuador | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| USA | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Saudi Arabia | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -2 |
Rosters:
USA
Goalkeepers: Jonathan Klinsmann (University of California; Newport Beach, Calif.), J.T. Marcinkowski (Georgetown; Alamo, Calif.), Brady Scott (De Anza Force; Petaluma, Calif.).
Defenders: Danny Acosta (Real Salt Lake; Salt Lake City, Utah), Cameron Carter-Vickers (Tottenham Hotspur FC; Westcliff-on-Sea, England), Justen Glad (Real Salt Lake; Tucson, Ariz.), Aaron Herrera (University of New Mexico; Las Cruces, N.M.), Erik Palmer-Brown (Sporting Kansas City; Lee's Summit, Mo.), Tommy Redding (Orlando City SC; Oviedo, Fla.), Auston Trusty (Philadelphia Union; Media, Pa.).
Midfielders: Tyler Adams (New York Red Bulls; Wappingers Falls, N.Y.), Luca De La Torre (Fulham FC; San Diego, Calif.), Derrick Jones (Philadelphia Union; Philadelphia, Pa.), Eryk Williamson (University of Maryland; Alexandria, Va.), Gedion Zelalem (Arsenal FC; Bethesda, Md.).
Forwards: Jeremy Ebobisse (Portland Timbers; Bethesda, Md.), Lagos Kunga (Atlanta United FC Academy; Tucker, Ga.) Brooks Lennon (Real Salt Lake; Paradise Valley, Ariz.), Emmanuel Sabbi (Unattached; Columbus, Ohio), Josh Sargent (St. Louis Scott Gallagher Missouri; O'Fallon, Mo.), Sebastian Saucedo (Real Salt Lake; Park City, Utah).
Senegal
Goalkeepers: Mouhamed Mbaye, Lamine Sarr, Idrissa Ndiaye.
Defenders: Waly Diouf, Jean Ndecky, Souleymane Aw, Mamadou Diarra, Moussa Ba, Alioune Gueye, Mamadou Mbaye, Akhibou Ly.
Midfielders: Cavin Diagne, Krepin Diatta, Souleye Sarr, Bamba Kane.
Forwards: Ibrahima Niana, Mouhamed Pouye, Aliou Badji, Ibrahima Ndiaye, Habib Gueye, Ousseynou Niang.
How to Watch:
Match Time: 7 a.m. ET.
Venue: Incheon Stadium - Incheon, Korea Republic.
TV: FS1, Telemundo En Vivo.
Streaming: FOX Sports Go.
Twitter: For rapid reaction and live updates, follow along at @StarsAndStripesFC. Also, be sure to follow @ussoccer_ynt.
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