DAEJEON, Korea Republic (May 28, 2017) – The U.S. Under-20 Men’s National Team finished atop Group F at the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup after a 1-1 draw with Saudi Arabia, striking first and then being forced to play a man down for 45 minutes. The result sees the USA advance to the Round of 16 for a second-straight tournament, where Group E runner up New Zealand awaits.
It was another solid performance from the U.S., which enjoyed the majority of possession and attacking opportunities in a first half that saw young Yanks take the lead but also suffer what could be some costly cards as right back Aaron Herrera and defensive midfielder Derrick Jones were both issued cautions that will keep them out of the next match.
The USA’s positive play was rewarded in the 40th minute when Brooks Lennon capitalized on a sleeping Saudi defense to tap home a rebound to give his team the lead and record his first goal of the tournament.
Shortly before the goal, U.S. center back Cameron Carter-Vickers had been shown a yellow card when a Saudi player went down easily after Carter-Vickers had touched his shoulder as the two found themselves in a footrace near midfield. Carter-Vickers and the USA would suffer from a second dubious caution five minutes later when referee Diego Haro harshly brandished another yellow card, reducing the U.S. to 10 men at the stroke of halftime.
Playing a man down for the entirety of the second 45, the well-organized U.S. defense dug in and surrendered very few opportunities, buttressed by the addition of center back Justen Glad.
The Green Falcons managed to get on the board via a corner kick in the 75th minute as Abdulelah Alamri headed home to level the match, but it was all they could muster as the U.S. maintained their defensive pressure and closed out the match without giving away a significant opportunity.
Simultaneously in Group F, Ecuador and Senegal played to a 0-0 draw. The result secured second spot for Senegal, while ending Ecuador’s time at the tournament as they exited bottom of the group.
The U.S. now moves on to play New Zealand in the Round of 16 at Incheon Stadium in Incheon, Korea Republic. Kickoff is set for 7 a.m. ET on FS1, FOX Sports Go and Telemundo En Vivo. The two nations previously met during the group stage of the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup, with the United States collecting a 4-0 shutout.
