We continue our 4-part series on recapping the US Soccer National Teams with a look at the U-20s performance.
This is the age group that is most frequently targeted by critics as the point where our system fails in player development. While 18 to 20 year-olds in other countries are making regular professional appearances, our guys barely smell the professional pitch or play at the amateur collegiate level.
This year was no exception, with Coach Thomas Rongen pointing at the same thing as the primary reason for failure.
The U-20s played a total of 15 games this year with a record of (6-4-5).
- The only top flight competitor they faced was Germany at the World Cup, who destroyed them 0-3.
- They beat and tied B-level teams Cameroon and Uruguay, 4-1 and 0-0, respectively.
- And went 5-3-4 against traditionally what are considered low-level opponents.
Complete U-20 Team Results
* CONCACAF – Qualifying for WC (2-1-2)
Mar 6 – (W) Jamaica 3-0 in Bacolet, Tobago
Mar 8 – (T) Honduras 0-0 in Bacolet, Tobago
Mar 10 – (W) El Salvador 2-0 in Bacolet, Tobago
Mar 13 – (T) T&T 0-0 (win 4-3 pks) in Macoya, Trinidad (semifinal)
Mar 15 – (L) to Costa Rica 0-3 in Macoya, Trinidad (final)
* Friendlies (2-0-2)
May 25 – (W) Costa Rica 2-1 (DA showcase in Sarasota, Florida)
May 28 – (T) Costa Rica 3-3 (DA showcase in Sarasota, Florida)
June 27 – (W) Egypt 1-0 in Alexandria, Egypt
June 29 – (T) Egypt 1-1 in Cairo, Egypt
* Copa Ciudad de Rosario (1-1-1)
July 25 – (W) C.A. Tiro Federal 2-0 in Rosario, Argentina
July 26 – (T) Uruguay 0-0 (win pks) in Rosario, Argentina
July 29 – (L) to Australia 1-3 in Rosario, Argentina
(comes in 2nd in tournament behind CA Tiro Federal)
* U-20 World Cup (1-2)
Sep 26 – (L) to Germany 0-3 in Suez, Egypt
Sep 29 – (W) Cameroon 4-1 in Suez, Egypt
Oct 2 – (L) to Korea Republic 0-3 in Suez, Egypt
Our series will continue with the senior National Team in Part III.
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