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United States Wins Group at U20 World Cup

By NICHOLAS MURRAY - nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com, 05/28/17, 7:08AM EDT

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Rangers’ Palmer-Brown leads defensive effort as 10-man side draws 1-1 with Saudi Arabia


Bethlehem Steel FC loanee Derrick Jones (18) challenges for possession during the United States U20 National Team's 1-1 draw with Saudi Arabia at the FIFA U20 World Cup

DAEJON, Korea Republic – The United States U20 National Team was held to a 1-1 draw by Saudi Arabia in its final game in Group F at the FIFA U20 World Cup on Sunday night at Daejon Stadium, but earned first place in the group with the point as Senegal and Ecuador finished scoreless in the group’s other contest. The game was choppy early, and the United States’ only real chance came in the 21st minute when a turnover saw Brooks Lennon set up Josh Sargent for a volley that went wide of the right post. The U.S. took the lead five minutes before the break, however, as a chipped pass in from the left by 2016 USL Cup-winner Tyler Adams of the New York Red Bulls found Sargent in the penalty area. His pass came to Luca de la Torre, and after the Fulham midfielder’s low shot was saved Brooks Lennon tucked in the rebound. Things became more complicated just before the halftime whistle when Cameron Carter-Vickers was sent off for his second yellow card, but the United States looked solid for the opening 15 minutes of the second half. Saudi Arabia’s Ayman Alkhulaif forced a big save from Jonathan Klinsmann in the 68th minute, while former Real Monarchs SLC loanee Justen Glad could have done better with a header from a corner a few minutes later. Saudi Arabia tied the game with 16 minutes to go as Alamri Abdulelah headed home from a corner kick, but the United States held on, and saw the group’s other result go its way, to finish in top spot in Group F.

Scoring: 
40’ – USA– Brooks Lennon
74' – KSA – Alamri Abdulelah

Three Things That Matter:

  • 1. The United States completed the group stage undefeated to advance to the Round of 16 at the FIFA U20 World Cup, achieving the primary goal for the side, but it will need sharper performances if the run the side looks to be capable of in the knockout stage is to come to fruition. Sunday’s game was hampered by some overly officious refereeing in the first half, but the U.S. wasn’t able to connect as consistently when it was at 11 men until it took the lead five minutes before halftime. Better will be needed against New Zealand.

  • 2. The United States’ depth will be seriously tested in its Round of 16 matchup against New Zealand, with three starters unavailable to Head Coach Tab Ramos. The defensive duo of Cameron Carter-Vickers (red card) and Aaron Herrera (accumulation) in addition to Bethlehem Steel FC defensive midfielder Derrick Jones (accumulation) will all have to sit. The solution will likely be to move the Swope Park Rangers’ Erik Palmer-Brown into the defensive midfield role, Tommy Redding (Orlando City B) and Justen Glad (Real Monarchs SLC) at center back and Auston Trusty (Bethlehem Steel FC) at left back, but it will be a real challenge for the side to make sure its defensive chemistry remains intact.

  • 3. A 0-0 draw between Senegal and Ecuador in Group F’s other match provided a welcome boost for the United States, allowing it to claim top spot and a much more manageable matchup than it could have faced had Senegal earned victory. New Zealand will not be an easy contest, new Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 forward Myer Bevan looked a handful in the All Whites’ opening two games, but avoiding a matchup with either Mexico or Uruguay is definitely preferable as the sharp end of the tournament arrives.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match

Erik Palmer-Brown, United States – The Swope Park Rangers loanee was excellent throughout the second half in the defensive end when the U.S. was down to 10 men, helping earn the point the side needed.

Upcoming Games:
United States vs. New Zealand – June 1, 7 a.m. ET, Incheon Stadium (FS1 / Telemundo)
Saudi Arabia vs. Uruguay – May 31, 4 a.m. ET, Suwon Stadium

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