United States Secures First Place in U-20 World Cup Despite Defeat
The United States men’s national under-20 team managed to secure first place in Group E of the FIFA U-20 World Cup, despite a 2-1 loss to South Africa in their final group stage match on Sunday in Rancagua.
The USMNT will face Italy next Thursday, October 9th, in a round of 16 match.
After South Africa’s victory and France’s triumph over New Caledonia by 6-0, three teams finished with 6 points in Group E. The United States secured first place thanks to a goal difference of +10, narrowly surpassing South Africa (+5) in second place and France (+4) in third.
France now hopes to advance to the knockout phase as one of the four best third-place teams. New Caledonia closed out Group E after three consecutive losses, conceding 20 goals and scoring only one.The USMNT concluded its group stage campaign of the U-20 World Cup with two wins and one loss.The United States took the lead in the 12th minute when Noah Cobb scored with a header after a free kick. However, just five minutes later, South Africa equalized with an own goal by American defender Joshua Wynder.
Bafana Bafana went ahead in first-half added time when Gomolemo Kekana finished off a swift counter-attack.
In the second half, the Americans sought a tie, but their defense was exposed to the rapid counterattacks of the South Africans.
The United States coach, Marko Mitrovic, made six changes to the starting eleven that defeated France 3-0 on Thursday, with Cobb making his first appearance in the tournament, while Reed Baker-Whiting, Luca Bombino, Luke Brennan, Matthew Corcoran and Pedro Soma earned their first starts.
This is the thirteenth time the United States has advanced from the group stage of the U-20 World Cup. The 2025 edition marks the sixth time the Americans have achieved this feat as group winners.
