SAN JUAN, Argentina (Might 26, 2023) – The U.S. Below-20 Males’s Youth Nationwide Group topped Slovakia 2-0 to safe the highest spot in Group B on the FIFA U-20 World Cup with an ideal 9 factors in three video games. It’s the primary time within the USA’s 17 appearances on the event that it’s completed with a 3-0-0 report within the group stage.

Ahead Cade Cowell menaced the Sokoli protection all afternoon and opened the scoring within the thirty eighth minute with a formidable particular person effort, driving down the left flank previous a number of Slovakia defenders. His San Jose Earthquakes membership teammate Niko Tsakiris netted an insurance coverage aim within the sport’s ultimate moments, as soon as once more making an influence off the bench.  With the victory and first place in Group B secured, the USA will face the third-place finisher from Group A, C or D within the Spherical of 16 on Tuesday, Might 30 (1:30 p.m. ET; FS2). All three teams may have concluded play on Saturday.

FIFA U-20 WORLD CUP – FINAL GROUP B STANDINGS

TEAMS

W

L

D

GD

Pts.

USA

3

0

0

6

9

Ecuador

2

1

0

9

6

Slovakia

1

2

0

1

3

Fiji

0

3

0

-16

0

After getting off on the entrance foot and holding the higher of possession from the get-go, the U.S. assault began to click on halfway via the primary half because the younger Individuals discovered themselves knocking on the door a number of occasions. The twenty fourth minute introduced the primary actual hazard within the aftermath of a U.S. nook as defender Justin Che put a header on body and adopted it up with one other try contained in the six off the rebound.

Cowell was typically the sparkplug for the U.S., making various menacing runs down the left flank. Within the twenty fifth, he helped arrange midfielder Obed Vargas for a rip outdoors the field that was deflected by goalkeeper Adam Hrdina earlier than defender Caleb Wiley almost turned the rebound into the sport’s first aim.

The San Jose Earthquakes ahead had a chief alternative to open the scoring within the twenty eighth minute, when he was sprung into some wide-open house by a masterful lengthy ball from middle again Brandan Craig. Cowell took a contact to play it over the ‘keeper on the high of the field and had an open internet in entrance of him, however wasn’t capable of management the ball and the following shot from midfielder Diego Luna flew over the crossbar. Cowell then appeared to have the USA’s opening aim within the thirty fifth, however his effort was whistled offside.

The winger greater than made up for the misfires together with his exceptional run and aim within the thirty eighth. Pouncing on a misplayed Slovakia again go, he proceeded to maneuver his method via the Sokoli protection, protecting robust on the ball after an preliminary sort out try, dodging a sliding defender after which wheeling previous a ultimate pair of Slovakians on the high of the field earlier than ripping a shot to the best facet of the web. After lacking the USA’s opening World Cup match vs. Ecuador as a consequence of suspension, Cowell has scored in each video games since and is considered one of 10 gamers in Argentina with a number of objectives to his identify. 

Slovakia responded shortly after the opening tally, rocketing a shot from past the highest of the field within the forty first, however U.S. goalkeeper Gaga Slonina was as much as the duty and leapt to his proper to make the save. Slonina and the U.S. protection recorded their third-straight clear sheet in Argentina, ending the group stage with simply 23 pictures allowed.

Cowell picked up the place he left off after the half inflicting issues for the Slovak protection. Within the forty eighth, he made one other threatening run down the left facet earlier than discovering Luna charging into the six-yard field, however the midfielder’s first-time shot hit the put up. Luna hit the woodwork once more within the 67th, this time clanging it off the crossbar following an prolonged spell in Slovakia’s 18.

The Sokoli continued to search for an equalizer down the stretch, however the U.S. put the sport out of attain within the sixth minute of additional time. Ahead Quinn Sullivan discovered Tsakiris, as soon as once more a activate the bench, reducing into the field, the place he managed and slotted residence his fourth U-20 worldwide aim.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

• Cowell’s aim was his fourth in 9 U-20 caps and second on the World Cup. Tsakiris’ tally was his fourth in seven U-20 appearances.
• Born in 2005, Tsakiris is the roster’s second-youngest participant and likewise age-eligible for the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup. His father Shaun represented the U.S. on the 1999 U-20 World Cup and is an assistant coach with the U-20 MYNT.
• Goalkeeper Gaga Slonina and defender Brandan Craig have performed all 270 minutes for the USA so far in Argentina.

-U.S. UNDER-20 MEN’S YOUTH NATIONAL TEAM MATCH REPORT-

Match: United States Below-20 Males’s Youth Nationwide Group vs. Slovakia
Date: Might 26, 2023
Competitors: 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup – Group B
Venue: Estadio San Juan del Bicentenario; San Juan, Argentina
Attendance: 15,059
Kickoff: 2 p.m. ET (3 p.m. native)
Climate: 63 levels, clear

Scoring Abstract:   1          2          F

USA                            1          0          1
SVK                            0          0          0         

USA – Cade Cowell                                      thirty eighth minute
USA – Niko Tsakiris (Quinn Sullivan)       90+6

Lineups:

USA: 1-Gaga Slonina; 17-Justin Che, 5-Brandan Craig, 4-Josh Wynder; 2-Michael Halliday, 6-Daniel Edelman (Capt.) (8-Jack McGlynn, 67), 18-Obed Vargas, 3-Caleb Wiley (13-Jonathan Gomez, 77); 16-Owen Wolff (15-Niko Tsakiris, 67), 10-Diego Luna (19-Darren Yapi, 73), 9-Cade Cowell (7-Quinn Sullivan, 73)

Substitutes not used: 12-Antonio Carrera, 21-Alex Borto, 14-Marcus Ferkranus

Head coach: Mikey Varas

SVK: 12-Adam Hrdina; 5-David Ovsonka, 6-Sebastian Kosa (Capt.), 9-Adam Griger (10-Timotej Jambor, 46), 11-Adam Gazi (7-Balint Csoka, 46), 14-Mate Szolgai (4-Jan Murgas, 68), 16-Leo Sauer, 17-Dominik Snajder, 18-Nicolas Sikula, 19-Samuel Kopasek (2-Simon Micuda, 75), 20-Mario Sauer (8-Artur Gajdos, 46)

Substitutes not used: 1-Samuel Belanik, 21-Adam Danko, 3-Samuel Bagin, 13-Marek Ujlaky, 15-Nino Marcelli, 21-Adam Danko

Head coach: Albert Rusnak

Stats Abstract: USA / SVK

Pictures: 20/9
Pictures on Objective: 8/4
Saves: 4/6
Nook Kicks: 10/6
Fouls: 4/11
Offside: 4/0

Misconduct Abstract:

None

Officers:

Referee: Ramon Abatti (BRA)
Assistant Referee 1: Rafael Alves (BRA)
Assistant Referee 2: Guilherme Camilo (BRA)
Fourth Official: Ahmad Al Ali (KUW)
VAR: Rodolpho Toski Marques (BRA)
AVAR 1: Tatiana Guzman (NCA)