Mendoza, Argentina – Cade Cowell scored a goal and Diego Luna had two assists to lead the United States to a 4-0 victory over New Zealand in the Round of 16 of the 2023 FIFA Under-20 Men’s World Cup on Tuesday afternoons at the Estadio Malvinas Argentinas in Mendoza, Argentina.

It is the fourth straight clean sheet victory for the U.S. in the tournament and marks the fourth consecutive time in which the U.S. has reached the final eight of the U20 Men’s World Cup.

There were early looks at goal for both sides and U.S. GK Gaga Slonina had to make a diving save in the 12’ to deny New Zealand’s Jay Herdman, who is the son of Canada Head Coach John Herdman.

The U.S. came flying right back and were able to get the game’s first goal in the 14’, with Luna finding Owen Wolff, who swung in a shot from outside the area for a 1-0 lead.

Minutes later it was almost two for the U.S. when a cross from Caleb Wiley took a deflection off a New Zealand defender and ended up hitting the crossbar.

Cowell had enjoyed numerous chances to double the U.S. lead and he finally did so just after the hour mark, receiving a pass from Luna and lashing home a left-footed shot for a 2-0 lead.

The U.S. then put the win on ice in the 75’ with Justin Che finishing off a counterattack spearheaded by Luna and Cowell, with Luna’s blocked shot being turned in by Che.

Rokas Pukstas then tacked on the fourth and final goal of the day in the 82’ with a header from just a few yards out off a free kick from Brandan Craig to round out the 4-0 scoreline.