BRADENTON, Florida – The United States has advanced to the 2019 FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Poland thanks to a 4-0 victory over Costa Rica on Friday in match two of Group H at the 2018 Concacaf Under-20 Championship.
By virtue of the three points, the U.S. punched its ticket to next summer’s World Cup in Poland.
The U.S. was aggressive from the start and it was rewarded with a 1-0 lead in the 15’ courtesy of a left-footed rocket from Alex Mendez that went searing into the top left corner of the net.
The reigning CU20 champions wanted more and Ulysses Llanez doubled the margin 2-0 in the 19’ with a strong right-footed shot that took a deflection off a Costa Rican defender and beat Ticos GK Kevin Chamorro.
Things were still going the way of the U.S. in the second half and Juan Pablo Torres extended the lead to 3-0 in the 49’ when he swung in a shot off a cross from the right flank.
Ayo Akinola would then polish off the 4-0 scoreline with a glancing header in the 76’.
The U.S. will look to win the group and advance to the CU20 final on Monday when it faces Honduras.
