INCHEON, Korea Republic (May 25, 2017) – The U.S. Under-20 Men’s National Team used a powerful 34th minute strike from Josh Sargent to earn a 1-0 victory against Senegal in its second game at the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup. The win puts the USA atop Group F with four points and means Tab Ramos’ side can clinch the group with a win against Saudi Arabia on Sunday. Already guaranteed at least a third-place finish, the U.S. can also assure advancement to the Knockout Round with a draw in Sunday’s group finale to clinch at least second place.
The first half hour was mostly devoid of chances until Eryk Williamson poked his measured effort from outside the box just wide in the 29th minute, before Tyler Adams followed up a minute later by forcing a point-blank stop out of Senegal ‘keeper Mouhamed Mbaye.
The goal would come in the 34th minute when a clever touch by Adams unlocked the Senegal back line. Luca de la Torre got on the end of Adam’s pass and found Sargent, who turned and blasted home his third goal of the tournament. The strike also placed Sargent in a tie atop the tournament’s Golden Boot standings with France’s Jean-Kevin Augustin and Venezuela’s Sergio Cordova.
Ramos’ side stayed hungry in the second half and Sargent would have tallied a second if not for alert denials from Mbaye in the 48th and 62nd minutes. Despite more second-half pressure, the U.S. midfield and back line, led by Man of the Match Cameron Carter-Vickers, continued to frustrate and limit Les Lions de la Teranga to just two attempts on goal, neither of which troubled U.S. goalkeeper Jonathan Klinsmann.
Earlier in the day, Group F opponent Saudi Arabia raced to a 2-1 victory against Ecuador to earn their first win of the tournament. The day’s results mean the U.S. is guaranteed at least a third-place finish in Group F. The U.S. can clinch top spot in the group with a win against Saudi Arabia on Sunday, while a draw would also guarantee advancement. Various other scenarios could see the USA move on to the Knockout Round as well.
The U.S. closes out group play against Saudi Arabia on Sunday, May 28 at Daejon World Cup Stadium in Daejon, Korea Republic. Kickoff is set for 5 a.m. ET on FS1, FOX Sports Go and Telemundo. Senegal will face Ecuador simultaneously at Jeonju World Cup Stadium in Jeonju, Korea Republic. That match can be seen on FS2, Fox Sports Go and Telemundo En Vivo.
