Led by a two objective efficiency from Paxton Aaronson, the USA is off to the 2023 U-20 World Cup following its 2-0 win over Costa Rica. The job, nevertheless, is just midway carried out as 2024 Olympic qualification is on the road Friday night time vs Honduras. ASN’s Brian Sciaretta breaks down the sport intimately.
BY
Brian Sciaretta
Posted
June 28, 2022
11:05 AM
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THE UNITED STATES U-20 nationwide staff certified for the U 20 World Cup on Tuesday after a 2–0 win over Costa Rica. It was a tough – fought when that was ugly at occasions, however the USA prevailed thanks to 2 objectives from Paxton Aaronson.
One of many keys to the sport for the US staff was to benefit from alternatives early. Costa Rica was the US staff’s hardest opponent to this point and the US staff needed to take management of the sport early and never let the Ticos stay within the recreation.
America was profitable on this, though not as a lot as they hoped. Aaronson scored within the fourth minute on a beautiful construct up that began with Alejandro Alvarado enjoying Quinn Sullivan out vast. Sullivan then despatched a move again throughout the field to Aaronson, his teammate in Philadelphia. Aaronson made no mistake with a left footed end.
Paxten Aaronson. 1-0 U-20s! pic.twitter.com/wcFmtnNwt4
— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) June 28, 2022
Costa Rica responded effectively to the USA taking the lead. Chris Brady needed to make three saves the rest of the half and the sport was even till the break.
The US staff ought to have been out extra, however they missed two unbelievably good possibilities within the the rest of the primary half. Quinn Sullivan had a possibility that he would usually convert however Costa Rica’s goalkeeper, Bayron Mora, made a superb save.
The start of the second half was eventful. America scored once more early within the half on one other objective from Aaronson. The play began with proper again Michael Halliday sending in a cross that discovered Caden Clark. Clark then headed the ball again throughout the objective for Aaronson who completed from shut vary.
Paxten Aaronson’s second of the sport pic.twitter.com/RFOjCNoWuF
— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) June 29, 2022
Simply minutes later, Costa Rica squandered its greatest alternative within the 52nd minute. A handball within the field from Mauricio Cuevas gave the Ticos a penalty – Brandon Aguilera shot sailed over the objective and the sport remained 2-0.
That miss appeared to deflate Costa Rica who was by no means harmful the remainder of the sport.
The largest story of the night time got here after the ultimate whistle. When the US went out to the sphere to have a good time their win, Costa Rican gamers confronted the People. Punches have been thrown, some gamers have been kicked, and it left a black mark on what was a hard-fought recreation.
America achieved considered one of their two objectives for this event in qualifying for subsequent yr’s U–20 World Cup in Indonesia.
The cycle will now proceed after this event, and the USA can construct for one more high worldwide event on the youth degree.
The second objective, and maybe the largest precedence, will happen on Friday night time when the USA will tackle internet hosting Honduras, with the winner qualifying for the 2024 Olympics in Paris. The boys’s program in US Soccer has not certified for the Olympics since 2008.
Listed below are some ideas on the sport.
Aaronson was improbable
Very like his older brother, Paxten Aaronson is a really efficient participant who can come up in huge moments. This youthful Aaronson in all probability has the largest upside of the gamers on this staff.
That’s saying loads as a result of quite a lot of gamers on this staff will in all probability have lengthy and profitable careers within the sport. It’s a enjoyable staff, and it is extremely attacking oriented. However Aaronson‘s imaginative and prescient actually makes the entire staff play extra cohesively.
My guess is that when he returns to Philadelphia after this event, he begins to take a much bigger position inside Jim Curtin‘s staff. From there, his improvement ought to skyrocket with extra skilled minutes.
Union’s big footprint
With Aaronson netting two objectives, Philadelphia Union gamers have scored 10 objectives for the USA on this event. Quinn Sullivan has 5. Aaronson has 4. Jack McGlynn has one.
However past the objectives, they’re all enjoying effectively. This consists of Philadelphia Union defender Brandon Craig who struggled in opposition to Canada however was excellent in opposition to Costa Rica. The entire Union gamers are collaborating within the assault, they usually match very effectively into the urgent model that U-20 head coach Mikey Varas needs to play.
For instance, Sullivan didn’t rating in opposition to the Tico‘s however his help made it occur. Craig, in the meantime, is a Central defender that may take free kicks effectively and his deliveries within the field created quite a few possibilities.
Your entire union group ought to be very pleased with how huge they’re contributing to the U-20 staff and likewise the U-17 staff. They aren’t simply profitable in improvement, however their total group wins whereas doing so too. These youth tournaments have mirrored very effectively on their group.
U.S protection bettering
One of many huge takeaways for this recreation is that the US staff’s protection regarded improved. Costa Rica had quite a lot of possession and quite a lot of free kicks. The again line of the USA held up very effectively. Even the penalty they conceded was extra of a fluke handball than a foul play.
Coming into this event, success was going to hinge on the backline. The US staff had the attacking expertise however protection was going to be a problem. That concern was heightened throughout and after the Canada recreation. However this was an excellent efficiency.
One of many the reason why the US backline has improved can be with the persistently robust performances they’re getting from the defensive midfielders. Varas is rotating Daniel Edelman and Rokas Pukstas on the No. 6 and each are delivering huge. That’s making issues loads simpler for the defenders.
Disgraceful ending
When talking to the media after the sport, Varas mentioned that he hopes Concacacf investigates what occurred after the ultimate whistle. The video and the photographs that emerged paint a really ugly image of Costa Rica‘s conduct.
US goalkeeper Antonio Carrera was kicked within the again. Jalen Neal, the US central defender, was hit behind the pinnacle. Paxten Aaronson was additionally kicked.
As a result of you possibly can’t spell “CONCACAF” with out “CHUCK NORRIS” pic.twitter.com/C4bZHGbGSk
— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) June 29, 2022
The US responded, however Costa Rica clearly instigated the incident. The U.S gamers have been merely trying to have a good time their win.
The sport itself indicated that the groups didn’t look after one another. There was pushing and shoving all through the sport, however that occurs. The close to brawl after the sport was uncalled for, even in Concacaf the place you all the time need to count on the surprising.
Anticipating justice from Concacaf is usually anticipating an excessive amount of. However to anybody watching, a number of of the Costa Rican gamers ought to be suspended from worldwide play. Costa Rica’s personal federation ought to take into consideration suspending them from home play as effectively.
Looking forward to Honduras
America followers ought to be very pleased with the groups efficiency on Tuesday night time. Costa Rica has an excellent U-20 staff. The truth that the USA needed to struggle so onerous is extra reflective on Costa Rica‘s high quality than any struggles the US staff had.
America has put itself into an excellent place. The staff is enjoying effectively and it’s bettering on its weaknesses because the event progresses.
Awaiting them will likely be Honduras, and it will simply be the hardest take a look at. It isn’t that Honduras is just an excellent staff, however they’re the hosts.
The Honduran staff has been very effectively supported on this event. Of their win over Panama on Tuesday, the stadium was full and offering quite a lot of help to their staff. It can solely be much more emotional and intimidating on Friday with the Olympics on the road. For the youthful age teams, it’s even harder to go away and play in such an setting with loads on the road.
Mikey Varas should rotate a few of his squad whereas additionally retaining an excellent chunk of the core collectively. At this level, will probably be very robust to alter the backline an excessive amount of. Halliday performed effectively in opposition to Costa Rica, however he could possibly be changed by Noah Allen and transfer Cuevas to the suitable aspect.
Within the midfield, Alvarado had an incredible recreation in opposition to Costa Rica, however he’s additionally interchangeable with Jack McGlynn and getting contemporary legs into the beginning lineup would possibly make sense. Diego Luna additionally would possibly swap with Cade Cowell
Predicted U.S XI vs Honduras: Brady; Allen, Neal, Craig, Cuevas; Pukstas, McGlynn, Aaronson; Cowell, Clark, Sullivan
Olympic desires
Everybody is aware of now the significance of qualifying for the 2024 Olympics. It could open up one more necessary event for younger American gamers.
Additionally, the Olympics are a U-23 event, so it could then open the door for alternatives for the 2001 and 2002 start years. That’s totally different from this U-20 staff which is for the 2003 start years and youthful. So qualifying for this event opens the door for 2 start years who are usually not concerned on the youth ranges proper now. This implies U.S Soccer may then begin calling up gamers like John Tolkin, Joe Scally, Ben Bender, Tanner Tessmann, and many others.
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Your #U20MYNT is certified to the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Indonesia! pic.twitter.com/ynhzpvoppy
— U.S. Soccer YNT (@USYNT) June 29, 2022
However past that, it’s only a wholesome signal that American soccer is heading in the right direction. A lot has been going its approach this yr. The senior nationwide staff certified for the World Cup, the Seattle Sounders received the CONCACAF Champions League. The U-20 staff certified for the U-20 World Cup. American gamers are in excessive demand within the international market greater than ever earlier than. Now the Olympics can be one other feather within the cap.
These Olympics would happen in 2024, two years earlier than the USA does a majority of internet hosting for the 2026 World Cup. It could be an effective way to construct a public enthusiasm for this system forward of internet hosting the game’s greatest event.
Issues are clearly trending upward in American soccer, qualifying for Paris can be one more huge step.
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