U.S. U-20 MNT advances to knockout stage of CONCACAF Championship

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica (Via U.S. Soccer) – Bradford Jamieson IV scored his second goal of the 2015 CONCACAF U-20 Championship and the U.S. Under-20 Men’s National Team defeated Trinidad & Tobago 1-0 at the Montego Bay Sports Complex.

With the victory, the USA earned second place in Group A to advance to the playoff stage of the tournament. The U.S. (3-1-1, 10 points) and Guatemala tied with 10 points apiece, but the USA earned the tiebreaker advantage by virtue of scoring more goals in the tournament (12) than Guatemala (6). Both sides have earned playoff spots and will be joined by two playoff qualifiers out of Group B. CONCACAF will then reseed the four tournament playoff teams based on group-stage results to determine Saturday’s matchups. The two playoff winners will earn the remaining berths to the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup in New Zealand.

Earlier Wednesday, Panama (5-0-0, 15 points) clinched first place in Group A and earned an automatic berth to the FIFA U-20 World Cup following its 1-0 victory against Guatemala (3-1-1, 10 points). Panama and Group B winner Mexico will play in Saturday’s final of the 2015 CONCACAF U-20 Championship. Group B wraps up play Thursday, after which the second- and third-place teams from that group will advance to the playoff stage.

The USA’s playoff game will take place either at 2 p.m. or 5 p.m. ET on Saturday, Jan. 24, at the Montego Bay Sports Complex and will be live on FOX Sports 2. 

After the reseeding process takes place for the four playoff teams, the second-seeded team will face the third-seeded team in the 2 p.m. match and the top-seeded and fourth-seeded teams square off in the 5 p.m. game. Those matches will be followed by the 2015 CONCACAF U-20 Championship final between Group A winner Panama and Group B winner Mexico at 8 p.m.

The USA is in strong position for the top seed among the playoff teams. With one final day of Group B matches on the docket, the other potential playoff teams are Honduras (2-1-1, 7 points), El Salvador (1-1-2, 5 points) and Cuba (1-2-1, 4 points). Honduras is the only team that can mathematically overtake the U.S. for the top seed but would need a win and have to make up a significant goal differential when it plays Cuba.

Goal Scoring Rundown:
USA – Bradford Jamieson IV (Paul Arriola), 78th minute: The USA sustained a couple offensive sequences by Trinidad and countered with the fresh legs of Junior Flores down the middle of the pitch. He worked the ball out wide right to Arriola, who cut the ball into the box to Jamieson at the edge of the six-yard box. Jamieson tapped the ball past Johan Welch and between the legs of a defender into the left side of the frame for his second goal of the tournament. USA 1, TRI 0 (FINAL)

Key Saves and Defensive Stops:
USA – Zack Steffen, 30th minute: Though Trinidad & Tobago did not threaten with a shot on goal through much of the first half, a potential opportunity presented itself with a free kick from the right side. Matthew Woo Ling’s left-footed kick was dangerously placed in the middle of the box, and Steffen fought through for the interception as Trinidad tried to make a run toward the far left post.

TRI – Johan Welch, 42nd minute: USA midfielder Emerson Hyndman eluded multiple defenders near the top of the box, particularly getting past Neveal Hackshaw, to get the ball to his right foot. Hyndman then shot right-footed and Welch leapt straight up for the save, batting the ball up in the air and collecting safely.

TRI – Jesus Perez, 43rd minute: Right back Shaquell Moore pushed up toward the edge of the box and had a good look at goal only to have Trinidad defender Perez block the attempt and surrender a U.S. corner kick.

TRI – Neveal Hackshaw, 49th minute: The most clear cut scoring opportunity for either team led to a clutch block at the goal line. From an Emerson Hyndman free kick, Ben Spencer headed the ball inbounds from the end line toward Bradford Jamieson IV in the middle of the box. Jamieson shot with Trinidad goalkeeper Johan Welch out of position, but it was cleared off of the line by Hackshaw.

USA – Zack Steffen, 54th minute: Shortly after a Matthew Woo Ling free kick, the ball bounced out to Trinidad’s Duane Muckette well outside of the box. Muckette’s dangerous strike eluded USA center back Cameron Carter-Vickers, but Steffen lined himself up for the save.

Additional Notes:

• The USA moved to 10-2-2 all-time against Trinidad & Tobago in this tournament.
• For the first time in this year’s CONCACAF U-20 Championship, USA head coach Tab Ramos went with the identical starting lineup in back-to-back games.
• Zack Steffen earned his fourth cap of the event with the start in goal.
• The defense featured John Requejo at left back, Shaquell Moore at right back and the center back combination of Cameron Carter-Vickers and Matt Miazga. Requejo and Carter-Vickers have played every minute of the CONCACAF U-20 Championship.
• The midfield group in the USA’s 4-4-2 formation included Tommy Thompson on the right, Romain Gall on the left, Russell Canouse at defensive midfield and Emerson Hyndman in the attacking role. Canouse wore the captain’s armband, and Thompson earned his fifth start in qualifying. He is the only USA midfielder to start in every match.
• Ben Spencer and Bradford Jamieson IV were paired up front together for a third straight match.
• The USA brought in Paul Arriola for Spencer in the 60th minute, earning his fifth cap off the tournament and third appearance in a reserve role.
• Junior Flores replaced Gall in the 69th minute.
• U.S. defender Conor Donovan made his second appearance of the tournament, replacing Thompson in the 84th minute for the USA’s final sub.

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

Match: U.S. U-20 Men’s National Team vs. Trinidad & Tobago U-20 Men’s National Team
Date: Jan. 21, 2015
Competition: 2015 CONCACAF U-20 Championship; Group A
Venue: Montego Bay Sports Complex
Kickoff: 5:30 p.m. ET
Attendance: 750
Weather: 82 degrees, clear

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

USA – Bradford Jamieson IV (Paul Arriola)     79th minute

Lineups:
USA: 1-Zack Steffen, 2-Shaquell Moore, 3-John Requejo Jr., 4-Cameron Carter-Vickers, 5-Matt Miazga; 16-Russell Canouse, 8-Emerson Hyndman, 9-Romain Gall (10-Junior Flores, 69), 11-Tommy Thompson (14-Conor Donovan, 84), 19-Bradford Jamieson IV, 20-Ben Spencer (7-Paul Arriola, 60)
Subs Not Used: 12-Ethan Horvath, 13-Tyler Turner, 15-Fernando Arce, 17-Amando Moreno, 18-Lynden Gooch
Head coach: Tab Ramos

TRI: 1-Yohan Welch; 2-Shannon Gomez, 3-Martieon Watson, 4-Jesus Perez, 5-Leland Archer; 6-Duane Muckette (10-Jabari Mitchell, 76), 7-Akeem Garcia, 8-Neveal Hackshaw, 12-Kishun Seecharan; 14-Matthew Woo Ling (11-Levi Garcia, 65) 15-Aikim Andrews (16-Ricardo John, 70)
Subs Not Used: 21-Javon Sample, 13-Brendon Creed, 18-Kevon Goddard, 19-Maurice Ford
Head coach: Derek King

Stats Summary: USA / TRI
Shots: 19 / 8
Shots on Goal: 7 / 2
Saves: 2 / 6
Corner Kicks: 4 / 6
Fouls: 17 / 16
Offside: 1 / 0

Misconduct Summary:
USA – Russell Canouse (caution)      1st minute
TRI – Aikim Andrews (caution)          39
TRI – Kishun Seecharan (caution)     84

Officials:
Referee: John Pitti (PAN)
Assistant Referee 1: Ronaldo De La Cruz (GUA)
Assistant Referee 2: Hiran Dopico (CUB)
Fourth Official: Yadel Martinez (CUB)

ussoccer.com Man of the Match: Bradford Jamieson IV