U.S. U-20 Men advance to World Cup Round of 16 with 1-0 win over Columbia

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (via US Soccer) – The U.S. Under-20 Men’s National Team took down Colombia 1-0, in the Round of 16 to advance to the Quarterfinal Round at the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup for the first time since 2007.

After a scoreless first half, Colombia applied heavy pressure to begin the final 45 minutes. Midway through the period however, the U.S. found its footing and was rewarded when forward Rubio Rubin collected a missed clearance from Colombia inside the box to net the game-winning goal of the match.

The goal was Rubin’s second of the tournament. He also scored during the USA’s 4-0 victory over New Zealand in the USA’s second group game.

Late in the second half, defender Kellyn Acosta was called for a foul inside the U.S. box, earning him his second yellow card of the match and giving Colombia an opportunity to equalize from the penalty spot. With the USA down to 10 men, Jarlan Barrera stepped up for Colombia, but U.S. goalkeeper Zack Steffen came up big, guessing correctly to the left side and punching the ball out to keep Colombia off the score board.

The U.S. advances to play Serbia on Sunday, June 14, at North Harbour Stadium in Auckland, New Zealand. Kickoff is set for 12:30 a.m. ET on FOX Sports 1, FOX Sports Go and NBC Universo.

Goal Scoring Rundown:
USA – Rubio Rubin, 58th: Following a goal kick clearance by Steffen, a couple of U.S. players jumped up to get the ball and control it past midfield. Emerson Hyndman got to it first, heading it down to Paul Arriola, who received it and tried to get off a shot. Colombia’s Juan Quintero was able to block Arriola’s attempt but was unable to fully clear it. Rubio Rubin collected the rebound and from the right side of the box, shot to the near post with his right foot from about five yards out for the USA’s game-winning goal. USA 1, COL 0 (FINAL)

Key Saves and Defensive Stops:
USA – Zack Steffen, 46th minute: Colombia’s Jarlan Barrera found himself alone after leaving his defenders behind inside the USA box. He ran forward, matching up one-on-one with Steffen. Steffen was alert and came out to grab the ball before Barrera could do anything, denying a scoring opportunity.

USA – Zack Steffen and Matt Miazga, 50th minute: In another point-blank shot opportunity for Colombia, Steven Lucumi ran towards the USA net, passing defender Matt Miazga on his way. Steffen again was ready, stepping out of his goal to block the shot then getting help from Miazga, who made the final clearance.

USA – Zack Steffen (penalty kick save), 83rd minute: Kellyn Acosta challenged a play inside the box on the right side from behind and was called for a foul, granting a penalty kick in favor of Los Cafeteros. Acosta received his second yellow of the game for the foul, thus leaving the USA with 10 men on the field as Colombia prepared to take the penalty shot. Jarlan Barrera stepped up to take the shot but his attempt was s by Zack Stuffed out by Seffen, who threw his body to his right side to punch the ball out and preserve the USA lead.

USA – Paul Arriola, 84th minute: Once again, Jarlan Barrera created a dangerous play as he was in a good spot from the top of the box to send a bullet shot straight toward the USA net. This time, it was midfielder Paul Arriola, who was locked in and made a spectacular save off the line, heading the ball away from the net and keeping Colombia at bay.

Additional Notes:

• The USA is now 6-7-0 all-time against CONMEBOL teams at the U-20 World Cup.
• After losing its first six meetings against South American teams from 1981-1997, the USA has gone 6-1 against its southern continental neighbors, including wins in the final four meetings: defeating Argentina 1-0 in 2005; 2-1 victories over Brazil and Uruguay in 2007, and tonight’s 1-0 win over Colombia.
• The USA last advanced beyond the Round of 16 at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2007, when it downed Uruguay 2-1 after extra time in Toronto courtesy of an Uruguay own goal and a strike from current senior Men’s National Team captain Michael Bradley.
• The USA has advanced past the Round of 16 on three previous occasions: in 2007 (finished 7th overall), 2003 (finished 5th overall) and in 1989 (finished 4th overall).
• This was the first victory for the USA against Colombia in the teams’ only meeting in U-20 World Cup play.
• The USA last recorded a clean sheet in a U-20 World Cup knockout round match in 2003 when the U.S. downed Ivory Coast 2-0 in the Round of 16. Tonight’s shutout is the second all-time for the U.S. U-20 MNT in knockout round play at a FIFA U-20 World Youth Championship/World Cup.
• Rubio Rubin’s goal was his second of the tournament. He last scored during the USA’s 4-0 win over New Zealand in its second group stage match of the competition.
• Rubin, who alongside Emerson Hyndman is the only player to have been capped at the senior level, made his MNT debut for head coach Jurgen Klinsmann against then No.3-ranked Colombia last November in a friendly in London. Hyndman made his debut during the second half of the U.S. MNT’s 1-0 win against the Czech Republic in September 2014.
• Cameron Carter-Vickers, Kellyn Acosta, Hyndman, Zack Steffen and Marky Delgado, all were starters in tonight’s match. They were the only players to start all three group stage matches for the USA as well.
• Steffen recorded his eighth career shutout and second of the 2015 U-20 World Cup.
• Due to his ejection from tonight’s game, Acosta will have to sit out the USA’s quarterfinal match against Serbia on June 14.
• Additionally, forward Bradford Jamieson was injured early in the game and was taken off in the 11th minute. He was taken to a local hospital where he is being evaluated further.
• The USA’s three substitutions of the game were: Jordan Allen for Jamieson, John Requejo for Paul Arriola and Tommy Thompson for Gedion Zelalem. The appearance was the 20th for Thompson with the U-20’s, a leading mark among the roster.

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

Match: U.S. U-20 Men’s National Team vs. Colombia U-20 Men’s National Team
Date: June 10, 2015
Competition: 2015 FIFA Under-20 World Cup New Zealand
Venue: Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington, New Zealand
Kickoff: 3:30 a.m. ET
Attendance: 6062
Weather: 54 degrees; Windy

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

USA – Rubio Rubin 58th minute

Lineups:
USA: 1-Zack Steffen; 17-Desevio Payne, 4-Cameron Carter-Vickers, 5-Matt Miazga, 6-Kellyn Acosta; 15-Marky Delgado, 8-Emerson Hyndman (capt.), 19-Gedion Zelalem (13-Tommy Thompson, 87), 7-Paul Arriola (3-John Requejo, 84); 9-RubioRubin, 11-Bradford Jamieson IV (20-Jordan Allen, 11)
Subs Not Used: 12-Thomas Olsen, 21-Jeff Caldwell, 2-Shaquell Moore, 10-Joel Soñora, 16-Conor Donovan, 18-ErikPalmer-Brown
Head coach: Tab Ramos

COL: 1-Alvaro Montero (capt.); 3-Jeison Angulo, 5-Juan Quintero, 6-Andres Tello, 8-Alexis Zapata (9-Joao Rodriguez, 72); 11-Steven Lucumi (18-Carlos Ibarguen, 64), 13-Davinson Sanchez, 14-Rodin Quiñones, 16-Jarlan Barrera; 19-Victor Gutierrez (7-Deinner Quiñones, 60), 20-Santos Borre
Substitutions Not Used: 12-Luis Vasquez, 2-Aldayr Hernandez, 4-Daniel Londoño, 10-Sergio Villareal, 15-Jhoan Ayala, 17-Juan Otero, 21-Yasser Chavez (GK)
Head coach: Carlos Alberto Restrepo

Stats Summary: USA / COL
Shots: 8 / 24
Shots on Goal: 2 / 3
Saves: 3 / 1
Corner Kicks: 4 / 4
Fouls: 17 / 16
Offside: 1 / 2

Misconduct Summary:
COL – Juan Quintero (caution) 20th minute
USA – Paul Arriola (caution) 26
USA – Kellyn Acosta (caution) 34
COL – Andres Tello (caution) 49
COL – Jeison (caution) 54
USA – Kellyn Acosta (caution) 81
USA – Kellyn Acosta (ejection) 81
COL – Jarlan Barrera (caution) 86
USA – Jordan Allen (caution) 86

Officials:
Referee: Antonio Ivan Bebek (CRO)
Assistant Referee 1: Tomislav Petrovic (CRO)
Assistant Referee 2: Miro Grgic (CRO)
Fourth Official: Matt Conger (NZL)