ASN’s Brian Sciaretta breaks down the U.S. group’s 3-1 win over Guatemala to qualify for the 2027 U-20 World Cup
BY
Brian Sciaretta
Posted
August 05, 2026
9:30 AM
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THE UNITED STATES certified for the 2027 FIFA U-20 World Cup on Tuesday night time with a 3-1 win over Guatemala on the CONCACAF U-20 Championships in Puebla, Mexico. The U.S. group struggled immensely for the primary 40 minutes however regained composure within the ultimate minutes of the primary half and was robust the remainder of the best way to earn the victory.
As well as, the U.S. group certified for the 2027 Pan-Am video games in Lima, Peru which is able to run from July 23 by way of August 8.
Head coach Gonzalo Segares started with a beginning lineup that consisted of a lot of the group’s high performers within the group phases together with fullbacks Joshua Torquato on the left aspect, Brandon Dayes on the precise aspect, central midfielder Colin Gauske, playmaker Xantiago Oyharçabal, wingers Jaidyn Contreras and Jaidyn Contreras, together with ahead Din Klapija who has had an elevated function because of the damage to Nimfa Berchimas. Goalkeeper Kayne Rizvanovich continued to begin after not conceding a objective within the event.
The U.S. had a poor first half and was very disjointed. The group may need been nervous with so much at stake within the sport.
Within the thirty sixth minute, Guatemala took a 1-0 lead and have become the primary group at this event to attain on the US. On the play, winger Marvin Avila hit a strong shot from the precise aspect of the field hit off crossbar. The ball bounced off the crossbar to ahead Oscar De Leon for a close-range header.
Looking at a failure to qualify and a untimely finish to the U-20 World Cp cycle, the U.S. group responded very properly. Guatemala had been outplaying the U.S. group, however after scoring the opening objective, the U.S. group put Guatemala on the backfoot for the rest of the sport.
Simply earlier than halftime, the U.S. group equalized. Xanty Oyharçabal delivered a nook kick which discovered the pinnacle of Christopher Cupps. The Chicago Hearth defender headed the ball all the way down to the toes of Brandon Days who scored from shut vary.
The second half was all of the U.S. group, which was pressed successfully, compelled turnovers, and drastically restricted Guatemala’s capability to have significant possession.
Within the 68th minute, the U.S. group moved forward for good when 68th minute when Jaidyn Contreras beat his defender on the precise wing close to the tip line and despatched a go to an open Din Klapija in entrance of the objective. The New York native was then capable of hit a strong proper footed shot into the highest of the objective for a 2-1 lead.
Lastly, within the U.S. group put the sport out of attain when winger Ruben Ramos performed left again Joshua Torquato into the field on the left aspect. The FC Dallas defender hit a well-placed shot into the again of the online for a 3-1 win.
Congratulations to the usteam for qualifying for the 2027 U-20 World Cup. – dangerous first half- significantly better 2nd half- objectives from Brandon Dayes, Din Klapija, and Josh Torquato (who has had a pleasant event, objective under) pic.twitter.com/3tNcFwETLe
— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) August 5, 2026
America has now certified for 14 out of the final 15 U-20 World Cups (courting again to when it was known as the FIFA World Youth Championships).
The event now shifts to Azteca Stadium in Mexico Metropolis for the semifinals and finals. Subsequent up for the U.S. group will likely be Costa Rica on Thursday, August seventh at 5pm EST. The Ticos certified for the U-20 World Cup with a shootout win over Haiti earlier than the U.S. sport.
Listed here are some ideas on it.
U.S. group responded properly
The U.S. group deserves numerous credit score for responding very properly following a really dangerous begin to the sport. With elimination staring the U.S. group within the face, Segares and his group didn’t crumble within the face of adversity however as a substitute used the Guatemala objective to lift its degree and overwhelm the opposition. For a youth group enjoying on the street, that isn’t a simple factor to do and it signifies spectacular maturity.
Clearly, the dangerous begin isn’t ultimate, however there have been certain to be moments in a event the place the U.S. group didn’t play properly. What’s key isn’t letting a sport get away when enjoying poorly.
Brandon Dayes with a HUGE equalizer on the stroke of halftime! ?????? pic.twitter.com/ccXSH9y6nw
— U.S. Soccer YNT (@USYNT) August 5, 2026
Shortly after falling behind 1-0, the U.S. hit its low level when Guatemala had two level clean probabilities to attain and goalkeeper Kayne Rizvanovich got here up with saves. After that, the U.S. group flipped a change and performed at a better degree.
A loss would have been a catastrophe that might have had rippling results all through the U.S. youth system for at the least a 12 months. The U-20 group would don’t have any significant video games to play and would battle to get high gamers to take part in friendlies. That may harm in constructing continuity for the U-23 Olympic group, which is able to see some present U-20 group push for spots. Additionally, the U-19 group would additionally lose goal with out the U-20 World Cup.
Thankfully, the U.S. doesn’t need to cope with such a situation. The U.S. was higher that Guatemala and located a technique to win.
Efficient from vast positions
All through this U-20 event, the U.S. group has discovered most of its success from vast positions. In every of the final two video games, the U.S. group has seen objectives from each its proper again and left again. There has additionally been crucial combos from wingers, Ruben Ramos and Jaidyn Contreras.
A horrible begin for the usteam has been adopted by gradual enchancment to the purpose they’re now up 3-1. A spot within the U-20 WC is inside attain, lower than 10 minutes away pic.twitter.com/Fo8smY8hYh
— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) August 5, 2026
Many of those vast gamers have been capable of lower centrally to create overloads for the opposing defenses. This was evident on the ultimate objective when Ramos was capable of spot Torquato who was vast open making a diagonal run into the field. Guatemala was simply not capable of decide up the transfer into the center.
Costa Rica subsequent
The U.S. group will subsequent face Costa Rica within the semifinal in a matchup which means much more to the opposite three groups than it does for the U.S. group. If Costa Rica wins, it’s going to advance to the CONCACAF ultimate and have an opportunity to play for an Olympic berth. If the US wins, the opposite semifinal sport will function the sport that decides and Olympic spot.
Will the shortage of strain harm or assist the U.S. group? That continues to be to be seen.
2027 FIFA U-20 World Cup: ???????????????????????????????????? ????#U19MNT pic.twitter.com/fAEZYl0I0d
— U.S. Soccer YNT (@USYNT) August 5, 2026
Costa Rica struggled towards Haiti however managed to prevail in a shootout after falling behind. The U.S. group simply defeated Haiti in its opening sport, however Haiti outshot Costa Rica 22-14 over 120 minutes.
One drawback for the U.S. group is that defender Christopher Cupps is returning to the Chicago Hearth earlier than the following sport (U.S. Soccer advised ASN that Cupps is the one participant leaving the group early).
On a aspect be aware, this sport will enable U.S. head coach Gonzalo Segares to educate towards his house nation. A local of San Jose, Costa Rica, Segares made 19 appearances for the nation’s nationwide group.
Competitors for World Cup roster spots
As has been written about extensively, Segares was denied the discharge for almost all of his group’s high gamers and even key bench gamers. It is extremely possible that the U-20 World Cup roster will look drastically completely different from this roster for qualifying. Golf equipment will possible be extra inclined to launch gamers for the World Cup than qualifying, and by subsequent 12 months MLS will likely be within the means of switching to a Fall-Spring calendar season.
For gamers on this qualifying group, that is one of the best alternative many should be on the World Cup roster subsequent 12 months. If the group is ready to advance to the ultimate or maybe even win, Segares might need to carry many of those gamers to proceed with the chemistry and reward their success.
“We’re ready to go to the World Cup.” ?????
Blissful World Cup certified Wednesday ???????? #U19MNT pic.twitter.com/iHp3jR1xSs
— U.S. Soccer YNT (@USYNT) August 5, 2026
On this roster a number of gamers are more likely to be a part of the World Cup group. Cupps has performed a very good job within the backline and displaying progress from final fall’s U-17 World Cup. Torquato struggled defensively towards Guatemala within the first half, however the left again has been very efficient offensively. Klapija and Oyharcabal contributed offensively whereas wingers Ramos and, particularly, Contreras have been the group’s greatest attackers. Goalkeeper Kayne Rizvanovich is probably going essentially the most safe lock to make the U-20 World Cup group.
There may be numerous time within the 12 months forward to make a case to be a part of the U-20 World Cup group and with younger gamers, issues can change in a short time. However for lots of the gamers on this group, this will likely be their greatest probability.
