U.S. U-20 Men’s National Team tops Panama at NTC Invitational

CARSON, Calif. (Via U.S. Soccer) – The U.S. Under-20 Men’s National Team topped Panama 4-0 in its second match of the 2016 Under-20 NTC Invitational at the U.S. Soccer National Training Center in Carson.

The U.S. grew into the game slowly after Panama had the better of the possession in the opening half hour. Just before the half, Sebastian Saucedo picked up a loose ball in the attacking third and passed to Luca De La Torre, who made an athletic move to spin on the ball and play in Isaiah Young, who did well to beat the goalkeeper from a tight angle.

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

The goal bolstered the USA, who found more space in the Panama defense as the game opened up in the second half. Young was involved in the creation of the second goal as his darting run into the penalty was only cleared to Danny Acosta at the top of the box, who smashed in a half volley to double the lead. Young’s terrific night continued in the 58th minute when he took on three defenders and got a shot off that deflected right to Jeremy Ebobisse, who tapped in a goal. Substitutes Brandon Vazquez and Coy Craft teamed up in the 82nd minute for the fourth U.S. goal when Vazquez broke free to goal and unselfishly passed to Craft for an easy tap-in at the back post.

The win gave USA the full six points out if its first two matches in the tournament. Japan defeated Costa Rica 3-0 earlier in the day and Japan now sits on four points. The results set up a de facto final as the USA takes on Japan at 3 p.m. PT on Sunday, July 3 at Field 1 at U.S. Soccer’s National Training Center in Carson. A win or draw will earn the USA the title. Panama and Costa Rica will play at 12 p.m. PT.

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