2013 CONCACAF UNDER-20 CHAMPIONSHIP
Puebla, Mexico
February 18 - March 3, 2013
FEBRUARY 22, 2013 - PREVIEW
Estadio Universitario BUAP
GROUP A
United States v Costa Rica, 6:30 p.m. ET
In 10 previous CONCACAF Under-20 Championship (CU20) meetings, each team has 3 wins
Last CU20 meeting: March 15, 2009 (Final) - United States 0, Costa Rica 3 (Note: Josue Martinez, who currently plays for the New York Red Bulls in the USA, scored two goals)
United States Quick Facts
• Group A record: 1 win, 0 draws, 0 losses (2 GF, 1 GA)…clinched advancement to quarterfinals
• Defeated Haiti (2-1) in its previous match on Monday…U.S. Goals: Luis Gil (3' pen), Daniel Cuevas (26')
• Appearing in 21st CU20 final round….eliminated from contention by Guatemala, 2-1, in 2011 quarterfinals
• Qualified as an automatic North American entrant
• Appeared for 12 FIFA U-20 World Cups
• 3 wins, 0 draws, 2 losses (9 GF, 6 GA) in last 5 CU20 final round games
• Never won the CONCACAF Under-20 title
Costa Rica Quick Facts
• Group A record: 1 win, 0 draws, 0 losses (1 GF, 0 GA)…clinched advancement to quarterfinals
• Defeated Haiti (1-0) in its previous match on Wednesday…Costa Rica Goal: John Jairo Ruiz (22')
• Appearing in 18th CU20 final round…defeated in 2011 championship game by Mexico (3-1)
• 1 win, 1 draw, 0 losses in 2 Central American qualifying matches
• Jose Eduardo Sossa was team's top scorer in qualifying with 2 goals
• Appeared for 8 FIFA U-20 World Cups
• 4 wins, 0 draws, 1 loss (13 GF, 5 GA) in last 5 CU20 final round games
• Won 2 CONCACAF Under-20 titles (1988, 2009)
GROUP B
Canada v Nicaragua, 9:00 p.m. ET
Canada leads series: 2 wins, 1 draw, 0 loss (6 GF, 2 GA)
Last CU20 meeting: April 17, 1996 - Nicaragua 0, Canada 3 (Note: Game was played in Saltillo, Mexico)
Canada Quick Facts
• Group B record: 0 wins, 0 draws, 1 loss (1 GF, 2 GA)
• Lost to Cuba (2-1) in previous match on Monday…Canada Goal: Stefan Vuckovic (90')
• Appearing in 20th CU20 final round….2011: eliminated from contention by Mexico, 3-0, in quartefinals
• Qualified as an automatic North American entrant
• Appeared in 8 FIFA U-20 World Cups
• 1 win, 0 draws, 4 losses (4 GF, 11 GA) in last 5 CU20 final round games…scored 1 goal in last 3 CU20 outings
• Won the CONCACAF Under-20 titles (1986, 1996)
Nicaragua Quick Facts
• Group B record: 0 wins, 0 draws, 1 loss (0 GF, 3 GA)
• Lost to Cuba (3-0) in previous match on Wednesday
• Appearing in 7th CU20 final round, first since 1996
• 1 win, 0 draws, 1 losses (3 GF, 3 GA) in 2 Central American qualifying matches
• Carlos Chavarria was team's top scorer in qualifying with 3 goals
• 0 wins, 0 draws, 5 losses (2 GF, 17 GA) in last 5 CU20 final round games
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