ASN’s Brian Sciaretta writes concerning the U.S. U-20 crew, its win over France on the World Cup, and trying to the trail forward for Marko Mitrovic’s crew
BY
Brian Sciaretta
Posted
October 03, 2025
10:10 AM
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THE UNITED STATES U-20 nationwide crew pulled off a powerful 3-0 win over France on Thursday on the FIFA U-20 World Cup. The U.S. crew performed properly all through your entire sport however solely pulled forward with three late targets from Zavier Gozo within the eighty fifth minute, Brooklyn Raines within the 88th minute, and Marcos Zambrano within the second minute of stoppage time.
It was an announcement win for the U.S. crew that despatched a transparent sign to different groups on the match that they’re they to make a run for the title.
Head coach Marko Mitrovic solely made two adjustments to his beginning XI from the opening New Caledonia win. Gozo and Zambranos left whereas Peyton Miller and Taha Habroune got here into the XI.
Listed below are some ideas on the sport and the large win.
In management
The U.S. crew completely deserved the win. Mitrovic’s crew was in management from the open whistle and France’s greatest possibilities weren’t too threatening. It turned out to be a complete crew effort. Sure, the U.S. targets all got here late, however the crew suffocated their French counterparts over the total 90 minutes.
The U.S. crew had defensive solutions to all of France’s assaults. Then the offense was simply relentless. Earlier than the targets, Nolan Norris forces a glancing save off the goalkeeper’s shoulder within the first half. Then Benja Cremaschi had an ideal probability within the second half that compelled an impressive save.
?? 85′?? 88′?? 90’+2′
???? VICTORY FOR THE #U20MNT! pic.twitter.com/DaIzH1j9h4
— U.S. Soccer YNT (@USYNT) October 2, 2025
The U.S. ended the sport with a 13-2 benefit in photographs (7-2 on course). Possession was even however the U.S. had 22 complete touches in France’s field in contrast with France’s 10 touches within the U.S. field.
What plenty of this speaks to is the method Mitrovic took in direction of constructing this crew. It’s totally different from earlier U-20 cycles the place the coach would name up giant variety of gamers earlier than figuring out his core. From there solely the previous couple of camps can be for constructing the crew and having it gel.
Mitrovic recognized his core as quickly as he took the job final October after the Olympics. From there, he saved the crew largely in-tact over all camps within the yr resulting in this World Cup. By now, this crew is a well-oiled cohesive unit.
We’re seeing a crew that had an enormous edge in preparation.
Who stood out, who didn’t
From the beginning XI, there have been vital contributions.
Brooklyn Raines was one of many prime performers over your entire sport. From the early going, he helped within the possession battle and in serving to the U.S. crew maintain the ball with a goal. However Raines additionally had 4 profitable tackles and received 5/8 of his floor duels. He scored the crew’s second objective and the play started with Raines forcing a turnover earlier than he made a run into the field to get onto a move from Gozo. Raines was my MOTM.
Houston Dynamo’s Brooklyn Raines places the united statesteam up 2-0 on France late! pic.twitter.com/0Ek0x3x2kk
— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) October 2, 2025
Frankie Westfield has additionally impressed within the first two video games. The Philadelphia Union proper again handed properly out of the again in opposition to France, received ahead successfully, and helped in profitable the ball. He completed the sport profitable 7/9 of his floor duels, 4/4 of his aerials, and received 5 tackles. Like Raines, his inventory is growing on this match.
Nolan Norris got here into this match with out as a lot fanfare given his restricted minutes at FC Dallas. Many figured Luca Bombino can be the crew’s beginning left again however Morris has justified his beginning job an has been sturdy in getting ahead.
Joshy Wynder has been a rock in central protection. It hasn’t been simple for him provided that Noahkai Banks and Diego Kochen weren’t allowed to take part by their golf equipment. However Wynder was an enormous cause why the backline has been regular.
The substitutes have been full sport changers in opposition to France. Particularly, Zavier Gozo, who scored the primary objective, Luke Brennan who assisted on that objective. Then it was Gozo who assisted Raines for the second. Lastly, it was Zambrano who put the nail within the coffin on the third objective. Matthew Corcoran was an enormous a part of that build-up and completed with 11/11 passing.
That displays properly on the crew chemistry because the subs can come into this sport and issues look contemporary. Everybody is aware of their job and everybody could be very acquainted with one another.
The U.S. crew doesn’t want a lot enchancment, however it might assist if Mitrovic can discover a solution to get Cole Campbell going. The speedy Borussia Dortmund winger seems to be forcing issues an excessive amount of and he’s pissed off because of this. He has been one of many crew’s greatest gamers this cycle however he must discover a solution to let the sport come to him. Equally, Adam Beaudry can be a bit nervous after his mistake in opposition to New Caledonia. There have been a number of moments in opposition to France the place he was shaky.
Assessing this accomplishment
It was true that France had a tricky time assembling a crew for this U-20 World Cup and that many French golf equipment didn’t wish to launch their gamers. FIFA should share among the blame in having this match at a time when all leagues are in season.
However France at all times can area a crew with expertise, and the win was a pleasant one for the U.S. crew.
Right here is how the united statesU-20 crew took the lead on France
Atalanta United’s Luke Brennan serves up RSL’s Zavier Gozo! pic.twitter.com/kuodieVobW
— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) October 2, 2025
When taking a look at this win and the U.S. crew’s performances, it correct to have a look at the cycle in its entirety. The U.S. crew performed video games in October 2024, November 2024, March 2025, June 2025, and September 2025 throughout these FIFA home windows in opposition to opponents who have been capable of area prime power groups. Even in these home windows, the U.S. crew was nonetheless profitable video games in opposition to good groups.
It might be one factor if the U.S. crew was struggling in the course of the cycle however was solely now capable of win. This U.S. U-20 crew has been capable of win all through the cycle in opposition to groups resembling France, Chile, Mexico, Colombia, and South Korea. What we’re seeing in Chile is only a continuation of that.
It is a good U.S. U-20 crew and is enjoying prefer it.
Look forward to South Africa and past
The job for Mitrovic is barely now getting began. The U.S. crew should now face a South African crew that received the African U-20 championship. If the U.S. crew wins the group, it might probably face Italy within the Spherical of 16.
The problem for Mitrovic is to resolve if and how you can rotate his squad with a purpose to hold the crew contemporary however on the identical level, not having the crew lose a step.
Some choices we would see are having Luke Brennan come into the beginning lineup instead of Cole Campbell. Pedro Soma has not been used a lot and he is an effective choice to play over Brooklyn Raines. The identical with Matthew Corcoran who has solely performed off the bench within the first two video games. Reed Baker-Whiting and Luca Bombino are additionally fullbacks who’ve contemporary legs as Westfield and Norris have performed so much.
Mitrovic has choices however a attainable method is to rotate the squad considerably for the beginning of the South Africa sport, and he would have a robust bench if he wanted upgrades. That will hold the whole lot contemporary for the Spherical of 16 – whoever that might be.
