ASN’s Brian Sciaretta breaks down the U.S. U-20 group’s disappointing loss to South Africa, appears to be like forward to the Spherical of 16 sport towards Italy.
BY
Brian Sciaretta
Posted
October 06, 2025
8:50 AM
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Subsequent up can be Italy on Thursday within the Spherical of 16.
The U.S. group struck first on this sport when Noah Cobb headed dwelling a Matthew Corcoran free kick within the twelfth minute.
Noah Cobb will get us on the board! pic.twitter.com/gRoiVMnhHZ
— U.S. Soccer YNT (@USYNT) October 5, 2025
However U.S. group was susceptible off the counterattack and South Africa equalized within the seventeenth when Josh Wynder headed a cross into his personal objective. Then simply earlier than the half, South Africa discovered one other on one other counterattack, however this time from the best facet – and the trailing runner, Gomolemo Kekana, was not picked up.
The U.S. didn’t play poorly nevertheless it did trigger some cause for concern.
Dominant play, however no targets
The statistics of this sport had been eye-opening for a group that misplaced. The U.S. group:
Outshot South Africa 17-5 (7-4 on course). At one level, South Africa had 2 targets with 1 shot
66-34% possession edge
465-210 edge in accomplished complete passes
235-58 edge in accomplished passes within the attacking half
46-6 edge in touches within the opposing field
19-12 edge in tackles
55-35 edge in duels, 17-7 edge in aerials
10-3 edge in profitable dribbles
The U.S. group did loads of issues proper however got here up quick.
Particularly there have been to massive areas the place the U.S. group failed.
Win the group ?Shifting on to the Spherical of 16 ? pic.twitter.com/1Wimit8qBA
— U.S. Soccer YNT (@USYNT) October 5, 2025
Ending
The U.S. group struggled on this sport to complete possibilities and get harmful possibilities on course. The one objective it scored was off a set piece. However from the run of play, there was not sufficient efficient ultimate balls. They’d loads of possession even within the South Africa field, however the ultimate move was empty. One of the best likelihood was within the first half when Benja Cremaschi was denied at level clean vary.
Transitional defending
On two events, the U.S. group’s transitional defending was very pool and it value them the sport. South Africa was counting on counterattacks to get possibilities and the U.S. group’s protection was lower than the duty.
Gomolemo Kekana offers South Africa the lead late within the half ????????????#U20WC pic.twitter.com/Z6TuwZOTNn
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) October 5, 2025
The primary objective was an personal objective on Wynder, however the U.S. allowed method an excessive amount of house for South Africa to assault down their left facet. That was the large space of weak spot on the play. Wynder was then compelled into emergency defending on the cross as a result of the winger had an excessive amount of house and was capable of get into the field for a brief cross.
The second objective occurred due to a failure to select up the trailing runner. That’s each a shortcoming of effort and in studying the play.
Momentum
The misplaced value the U.S. group nothing as they ended up successful Group E regardless of the loss. A draw or win wouldn’t have led to a greater end result.
However there are two methods the loss may have an effect on america. It may both give them a warning as to their shortcomings with a possibility to now handle it in coaching. Or it may halt the group’s optimistic momentum and pull them down a bit.
We received’t know for certain till Sunday. However the group has rebounded properly earlier than. Within the June camp, the U.S. group misplaced to Norway within the opening sport 1-0 earlier than beating Colombia 1-0 within the second sport of camp.
Subsequent up is Italy
The U.S. group will subsequent face Italy within the Spherical of 16 on Thursday. Italy completed its group with 4 factors with a 1-0 win over Australia, a 2-2 draw with Cuba, and a 1-0 loss to Argentina. Towards Argentina, Italy allowed only one shot on course.
Italian groups are recognized for getting going as soon as the knockouts start and this might and ought to be a problem for the U.S. group. Argentina had the identical issues towards Italy that the U.S. group had towards South Africa. The possession was there however the actual challenges weren’t.
The ultimate Group E standings ?? pic.twitter.com/QKsc861ebG
— U.S. Soccer YNT (@USYNT) October 5, 2025
The U.S. group ought to anticipate to return to the beginning lineup which was used towards France. However even then, the U.S. group must be higher from the run of play – aside from the final 5 minutes.
What must occur is that the U.S. group wants extra from key attacking gamers. The primary being Cole Campbell. The Borussia Dortmund winger has not been himself but on this event. He has been good each time he’s been in camp, nevertheless it hasn’t come collectively for him but on the World Cup. If he can get it going, the U.S. group turns into very onerous to cease.
One other concern is the potential overuse of central defender Josh Wynder who began every of the group’s first three video games.
However having three full days earlier than the sport ought to give Mitrovic an opportunity to relaxation gamers and scout Italy.
