US Under 20’s Fall to Morocco in Quarterfinals of U-20 World Cup

Strong performance ends once again in the Quarters

Rancagua, Chile – The US Men’s Under 20 National Team faced a talented and tough Moroccan side in their Quarterfinals match. They played strongly in this match, but after 90 minutes had passed, Morocco defeated the USA by a final score of three goals to one.

Tough goal to concede

Morocco attacked down the far side touchline, and a long cross was aimed for the back post. There was an attempted shot that was off the corner bar, but stayed in play. Othmane Maamma stayed with the ball, made a quick pass to an oncoming Fouad Zahouani, who scored in the 31st minute.

USA Head Coach Marko Mitrovic requested a VAR review, as he believed a foul should’ve been called on Morocco when one of his defenders appeared to have been fouled by a grab across the shoulder/neck area. The review failed, and the goal stood.

Equalizer from the spot

The USA earned a corner at the far side and went short. As the ball was crossed toward the back post, Moroccan defender Ali Maamar grabbed and brought down Nolan Norris inside the penalty area, and that allowed the referee to blow his whistle and point to the spot.

Morocco head coach M. Mohamed Ouahbi requested a VAR Review, claiming it wasn’t a penalty, but the referee said it was and kept the decision. The foul happened during first half stoppage time as Cole Campbell took the spot kick and scored in the sixth minute past the four that was given due to the long review.

Behind by an own goal

Morocco earned a throw-in from the near side touchline. As the ball was played, Zahouani rushed in to take a quick shot, but so did Joshua Wydner, as he took the deflection off his chest and past his goalkeeper, Adam Beaudry, for the own goal in the 67th minute. A tough break for the USA

Morocco finished the job

The USA made a bit of a mess inside their area, allowing Morocco to regain possession. Beaudry came off his line and put himself into no man’s land. Several defenders tried to take the ball away, but in the end, it was Gessime Yassine burying his tally to make it three goals to one in the 87th minute.

Strong run again

The talent pool of the US Men’s National Team keeps getting better and better. While it’s a testament to see the USA reaching the Quarterfinals for the fifth consecutive Under 20 World Cup, it’s just a bit frustrating not to have these players advance to the Semi-Finals and make a big step.

Until the next qualification tournament, this was still a positive run and another major step forward in the youth program of US Soccer.

US Soccer News:

• USA U-20’s Rolls Through Italy, Advancing to the Quarterfinals
• USA Under-20’s preparing for Italy in U-20 World Cup
• US U-20’s edged by South Africa, but wins Group E

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