The Under-20 U.S. men’s youth national team capped off their recent success at the CONCACAF U-20 Championship by retaining their title with a comfortable win over the Dominican Republic at the Estadio Olimpico Metropolitano in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, on Sunday night to make it a three-peat.
Having secured spots at the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup and the 2024 Summer Olympics, the young Americans had their eyes on one final prize and they were determined as ever to make sure that the regional title would remain in their possession.
The U.S. opened the scoring in the 17th minute through Tyler Wolff. Mauricio Cuevas sent a pass towards Jackson Hopkins, whose first-time cross found Wolff in the center of the area to head the ball past Dominican Republic goalkeeper Omry Bello.
Paxten Aaronson doubled their lead in the 37th minute when a corner kick from Niko Tsakiris was headed clear from the area, but Diego Luna was able to collect the loose ball, send back into the path of Aaronson and the Philadelphia Union man blasted his shot into the back of the net.
Noah Allen added a third two minutes later when he pounced on the loose ball in the area to slam home.
The U.S. performed well in the first half, and they kept it going as both teams came out for the second interval.
Jack McGlynn made it 4-0 in the 53rd minute as he collected a pass from Niko Tsakiris before burying the ball in the goal with a shot on the edge of the area.
The Americans then showed some brilliance in scoring the fifth goal in the 55th minute. Luna was fouled which forced the referee to call for a free-kick. Tsakiris looked like he was to take a chance at goal, but Brandan Craig quickly passed the ball to Aaronson, who then turned towards the goal to score his second of the game.
Tsakiris closed out the scoring in the 61st minute when sent a pass from Caden Clark into the goal.
A strong finish for the young Americans as they can now focus preparing for the World Cup in Indonesia next year.
Notes
Paxten Aaronson was awarded both the Golden Boot as the top goal scorer in the tournament with seven as well as the Golden Ball as the best player.
Chis Brady won the Golden Glove as the best goalkeeper.
