U.S. U-20 Men’s National Team defeats Costa Rica 2-0

CARSON, Calif. (Via U.S. Soccer) – The U.S. Under-20 Men’s National Team blanked Costa Rica 2-0 to lead the four-team tournament after the first day of the 2016 Under-20 NTC Invitational at the U.S. Soccer National Training Center in Carson.

The U.S. got off to an early lead in the ninth minute as Marcello Borges sent a ball across goal to Luca De La Torre who redirected to the far post with a slight touch. U.S. forward Jeremy Ebobisse waited for the ball and fired an easy finish to the back of the net, tallying his third goal of the year. After the early U.S. goal, Costa Rica was unable to counter, leaving the USA to lead the match going into halftime.

In the second half, the U.S. tallied minutes after the opening whistle as Ebobisse controlled a long pass angled away from the goal. He crossed it toward Sebastian Saucedo, who finished into the right side of the net, posting his second goal in 2016.

Earlier in the day, Japan and Panama played to a scoreless draw, earning one point each in the group.

The USA will face Panama on Friday, July 1, kicking off at 7 p.m. PT, after Japan plays Costa Rica at 2:30 p.m. PT.

All matches will be streamed live on U.S. Soccer’s YouTube page.

– U.S. Under-20 Men’s National Team Match Report –

Match: U.S. Under-20 MNT vs. Costa Rica
Date: June 29, 2016
Competition: 2016 Under-20 Men’s NTC Invitational
Venue: U.S. Soccer National Training Center, Field 1; Carson, Calif.
Kickoff: 6:05 p.m. PT
Weather: High 70s, sunny

Scoring Summary:            1              2              F
USA                                        1              1              2
CRC                                       0              0              0

USA – Jeremy Ebobisse (Luca De La Torre)                                  9th minute
USA – Sebastian Saucedo (Jeremey Ebobisse)                             52          

Lineups:
USA: 1-Jonathan Klinsmann; 2-Aaron Herrera (17-Marlon Fossey, 68), 13-Miles Robinson, 5-Auston Trusty, 3-Marcello Borges; 6-Danny Acosta (20-Jackson Yueill, 68), 8-Luca De La Torre (14-Hugo Arellano, 79), 9-Mukwelle Akale (15-Isaiah Young, 79); 18-Jeremy Ebobisse (19-Victor Mansaray, 84), 7-Eryk Williamson, 11-Sebastian Saucedo
Subs not used: 4-Andrew Lombard, 10-Weston McKinnie, 12-JT Marcinkowski, 16-Coy Craft, 21-Brandon Vazquez
Head Coach: Tab Ramos

CRC: 1-Alejandro Barrientos; 4-Pedro Morales, 19-Salinas Phillips (5-Esteban Gonzalez), 3-Airboin Carmona, 2-Kevin Espinoza (13-Dario Alfaro, 75); 11-Barlon Sequeira, 14-Roberto Cordoba (12-Andres Vargas, 83), 20-Eduardo Juarez; 6-Esteban Espinoza (15-Daniel Villegas, 75), 8-Marvin Loria (10-Kevin Masis 66), 9-Jimmy Marin (7-Ariel Zapata, 66)
Subs not used: 18-Ricardo Montenegro
Head Coach: Marcelo Herrera

Stats Summary: USA / CRC
Shots: 8 / 4
Shots on Goal: 5 / 3
Saves: 3 / 3
Corner Kicks: 5 / 0
Fouls: 18 / 32
Offside: 2 / 0

Misconduct Summary:
USA – Eryk Williamson (caution)                    7th minute
CRC – Roberto Cordoba (caution)                  32
CRC – Barlon Sequeira (caution)                    44
USA – Danny Acosta (caution)                        54
USA – Auston Trusty (caution)                        55
CRC – Marvin Loria (caution)                         63
USA – Aaron Herrera (caution)                        67
CRC – Eduardo Juarez (caution)                     75
CRC – Airboin Carmona (caution)                  87
USA – Sebastian Saucedo (caution)                89

Officials:
Referee: Randall Kelley (USA)
Assistant Referee 1: Chris Elliot (USA)
Assistant Referee 2: Walt Heatherly (USA)
Fourth Official: Tim Ford (USA)