The United States U-20 Men's National Team is just two more matches away from securing their berth in the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup in South Korea and
The United States U-20 Men’s National Team is just two more matches away from securing their berth in the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup in South Korea and standing in their way are a pair of crucial matches against Mexico, which will kick off today at 3:00PM PT and can be seen on CONCACAF’s Facebook page, and El Salvador on March 3.
The U.S. is now in the Classification Stage. Six teams – top two teams from group stage – have advanced to this part in the tournament. The six teams are divided up into two groups with a round-robin play structure. The top two teams from each group in the Classification State will advance to the U-20 FIFA World Cup.
The reality for the U.S. U-20 MNT is that they need points in the match against Mexico, which may prove to be difficult. Mexico didn’t break a sweat in the group stage scoring nine goals and holding Honduras, Canada, and Antigua and Barbuda scoreless in 270 minutes of play. The U.S. of the other hand, dropped its first group match against Panama 1-0 and then defeated both Haiti and Saint Kitts and Nevis 4-1. The scoreline looks great, but the U.S. is far from a perfect team. They have had moments and the talent is clearly there. Brooks Lennon has scored four goals, Sebastian Saucedo has added two. Jonathan Lewis, Justen Glad, and Luca De La Torre have all impressed too.
Question and focus will be on Tad Ramos to help steer this team to another run at the FIFA U-20 World Cup.
Now a look at how the California players are doing. Jonathan Klinsmann (University of California; Newport Beach), JT Marcinkowski (Georgetown; Alamo), and midfielders Luca de la Torre (Fulham F.C.; San Diego) and Jonathan Gonzalez (CF Monterrey; Santa Rosa) all made the roster.
Klinsmann played the first two matches against Panama and Haiti and Marcinkowski played in the final group match against Saint Kitts and Nevis. Torre, has started in every match and scored against Haiti. Gonzalez has played in one match and was a substitute on the match against Saint Kitts and Nevis.
