The U-20 U.S. national team defeated El Salvador, 2-0, in the CONCACAF U-20 Championship playoff on Saturday to book their place in the 2015 U-20 World Cup (May 30 to June 20) in New Zealand.
Following a rough start to the group stage with a draw with Guatemala and defeat against Panama — Tab Ramos’s side rebounded with an 8-0 thrashing of Aruba, a 2-0 victory over the host Jamaicans and a 1-0 victory over Trinidad and Tobago in the group stage finale. A second-placed Group A finish set up the Yanks’ date with third-placed Group B finishers El Salvador.
In the first half, Tommy Thompson had his first goalscoring chance of the match when he latched onto a through ball but pulled his first-time shot just wide. Thompson’s one-on-one chance would set the tone for the rest of the first half, though, as the Americans controlled the run of play and continuously threatened to score the game’s opening goal.
Columbus Crew midfielder Romain Gall found himself bearing down going one-on-one with the goalkeeper inside the first 15 minutes as well, but fell victim to the horrible playing surface as the ball took an unfortunate bobble just moments before Gall was to fire on goal. Instead, his attempt ended up a weak shot which was easily saved by the El Salvadorian goalkeeper.
Ben Spencer followed up a shot off the crossbar and headed the rebound into an empty net to put the Yanks ahead in the 37th minute to take the lead as the first half ended.
Disaster struck for the USMNT U-20s just six minutes into the second half. El Salvador were awarded a penalty for what appeared to be a handball by Thompson. However, U.S goalkeeper Zack Steffen came to the rescue, saving the ensuing penalty kick at full-stretch to his right.
Persistence paid off for the Yanks, though, as the combination of Borussia Dortmund midfielder Junior Flores and Club Tijuana forward Paul Arriola fashioned a pair of close-range chances in the 67th minute, with the latter’s rebounded effort being turned past the goalkeeper and into the back of the net.
El Salvador went a man down after Andres Flores looked to kick out at a U.S. player with 10 minutes to of regular time to be played. From there, the Yanks were able to see the game out, preserving their shutout and sealing their place in this summer’s tournament.