RANCAGUA, Chile — On Monday, September 29, the U.S. Under-20 Men’s National Team delivered one of the most dominant performances in recent memory, routing U-20 World Cup debutants New Caledonia 9–1 in their opening match of the FIFA U-20 World Cup at Estadio El Teniente. The emphatic win not only set a new record for U.S. U-20 margins in World Cup play, but also sent a message to the rest of Group E: the Americans came to Chile to compete, not simply to participate.
Match Summary & Key Moments
From the kickoff, the U.S. struck with immediate urgency. In the 2nd minute, Benjamin Cremaschi converted a cross from Zavier Gozo to open the scoring. Barely two minutes later, Cremaschi pounced on a loose ball in the box and curled a right-footed shot into the top corner to double the lead. By minute seven, the U.S. were 3–0 up, as Cremaschi served a precise pass to Niko Tsakiris, who headed home.
Though New Caledonia occasionally displayed flashes of intent, they were overwhelmed by the U.S. attack. The U.S. kept imposing themselves: Brooklyn Raines swung in a corner in the 28th minute, which Frankie Westfield nodded in; shortly after, Nolan Norris finished a one-touch sequence for the fifth. Cremaschi completed his first-half hat trick in the 37th minute, and Norris struck again in the 44th to make it 7–0 by halftime — breaking the prior U.S. single-match U-20 scoring record.
In the second half, the US seemed to throttle down a bit; perhaps U.S. head coach Marko Mitrović allowed his team to manage energy, with an eye towards France. But they did not relent, and in the 68th minute, Westfield collected the ball on the flank and played in Taha Habroune, who finished smartly. New Caledonia finally got a goal in the 70th minute when substitute Antoine Simane capitalized on a turnover from a bad mistake by U.S. goalkeeper Adam Beaudry. The US goalkeeper, under little pressure and multiple outlet options, kicked the ball straight to Simane, who made no mistake in putting the ball into the back of the net, giving New Caledonia their first-ever U-20 World Cup goal. However, just four minutes later, US substitute Matthew Corcoran assisted Cole Campbell’s low strike to complete the 9–1 scoreline.
By the final whistle, the U.S. had notched six different goalscorers — young players from across the roster contributing. The 9-1 margin is now the largest ever win by a U.S. side in U-20 World Cup history.
Standout Performers
- Benjamin Cremaschi: The Parma midfielder was the undeniable protagonist of the evening. His hat trick — including two in the opening five minutes — plus two assists, puts him at the apex of this match. He became just the third U.S. player to record a U-20 World Cup hat trick, and the first to do so in the first half.
- Nolan Norris: The defender made offensive contributions count, scoring twice (minutes 35 and 44). His presence in set pieces and sharp finishing show a defender comfortable in the attack.
- Frankie Westfield: A goal and an assist. His movement in the box and aerial ability made him a danger all match.
- Niko Tsakiris: Showed composure, rifling home a well-taken goal, as well as an assist, to contribute to the American onslaught. The veteran from the 2023 U-20 World Cup was strong in this match, and will undoubtedly continue to be relied on down the road.
- Cole Campbell: Late contribution in sealing the result with a well-worked goal. His relentless runs down the flank were dangerous and ultimately paid off with a well-deserved goal.
In defense and midfield, the U.S. controlled shape, retained possession comfortably, and rarely allowed New Caledonia to threaten. Even with rotation in the second half, the intensity never dropped dangerously.
Tactical Observations
- Relentless Press & High Tempo Start
The US U-20s came out with legs, pressing high, forcing errors, and capitalizing on defensive miscues. The first three goals arrived in short order, essentially putting New Caledonia in a reactive posture from the outset. The Yanks played at a torrid pace, especially early on, to the point where the game looked like it was set at fast-forward. - Fluid Attacking Rotation
Mitrović’s front line was not rigid. Wingers, midfielders and fullbacks moved interchangeably, making it difficult for New Caledonia to track marking assignments. Cremaschi’s early runs from midfield and Tsakiris’ forward movements disrupted defensive lines constantly. - Set-Piece Efficiency
The third U.S. goal came from a corner, and the team showed good delivery and timing on dead balls — a welcome reminder that even in blowouts, attention to detail matters. - Controlled Second Half
After establishing a commanding lead, the U.S. shifted into a controlled tempo, preserving energy, managing substitutions, but still methodically finding ways to break down the defense. - Squad Depth on Display
Substitutions, including Habroune and Corcoran, contributed meaningfully. That flexibility — allowing freshness while maintaining dominance — is vital in tournament settings.
What It Means
This result does more than pad goal differential, though that is important in group play tiebreakers. It builds confidence, establishes momentum, and sends a message: the U.S. U-20s are not here to merely survive. As the only team to have made it to the quarterfinals of each of the last 4 U-20 World Cups, the US has some strong pedigree at this level. At the same time, the quarterfinals is where the US tournaments have ended in each of the last 4 World Cups as well. Can they make a push further this time?
Next up, the Americans face France U-20 on Thursday, October 2, again at Estadio El Teniente. France began their campaign with a 2–1 win over South Africa. The stakes will be much higher, the margin for error much smaller, and France will likely be more compact, well organized defensively, and hungry to impose their own technical style.
Here’s what the U.S. will need to do to carry forward:
- Start with the same aggression — The earliest minutes were decisive vs. New Caledonia. Against France, possession will be tighter, so the U.S. must not invite early pressure.
- Midfield control & transition speed — France’s youth side will likely try to dominate the ball in midfield, so the U.S. will need to match or disrupt that rhythm. Transition moments — winning the ball and attacking speedily — will be critical.
- Smart rotations & stamina management — While the U.S. has the luxury of depth, tactical substitution timing will matter far more against a stronger opponent.
- Set plays and targeting weak links — France may be more disciplined defensively, so optimizing corners, indirect free kicks, and finding mismatches will remain key.
- Game management — If the U.S. can take an early lead, they must not be lulled into complacency or get dragged into mistakes. Maintaining shape and concentration is essential.
One potential risk: overconfidence. France’s youth system has been excellent at producing technically sound, tactically disciplined squads. If the U.S. underestimates them or fails to adapt, the match could tighten quickly.
Still, the confidence from the 9–1 win — especially from young players across the roster — offers a psychological edge. Cremaschi, Campbell, Tsakiris, Norris, Westfield: many of the contributors in this match will again be central figures vs. France. The coaching staff can ride that wave, but must also calibrate expectations: France will not yield easily.
In group dynamics, the U.S. now has a cushion. A strong result against France will likely put them in command of Group E, easing the path to the knockout stage. Even if France poses difficulties, the U.S. can still approach the final group game vs. South Africa with some strategic flexibility.
Final Thoughts
Monday’s rout, even against a World Cup debutant, was a strong statement: the U.S. U-20s arrive in this World Cup with talent, ambition and depth. While New Caledonia offered little resistance, the pressure next comes from stronger, more tactically adept teams. The match versus France is an inflection point. If the U.S. can replicate the start, manage transitions, and keep composure under pressure, they can take top spot in the group and carry momentum deeper into the tournament, perhaps surging past the quarterfinals wall.
But one match doesn’t define a campaign. France will test their mettle: tactically, mentally, and physically. How the U.S. responds will say a lot about whether this squad can finally break past the quarterfinal barrier and contend for a U-20 World Cup semifinal.
