By Daniel Feuerstein | Puebla, MX | August 5th, 2026
After going undefeated in their group stage, taking out Haiti, Cuba & El Salvador for a combined 11 goals for and allowing nothing, the U.S. Men’s National Team’s Under-20 Team entered the Quarterfinals of the CONCACAF U-20 Championships facing a Guatemalan side that is plucky and looking to make a statement to qualify for the FIFA U-20 World Cup. While they gave the USA a game, at the end of the full 90 minutes, the boys were able to take the victory in the Quarterfinals and qualify for next year’s tournament as they defeated Guatemala by the final score of three goals to one.
Allowed their first goal of the tournament
Guatemala took a surprise lead midway through the first half after taking control of the ball. As they attacked down the far side, a long ball was crossed towards the net, forcing Kayne Rizvanovich to leap just ahead of the goal line to make a save. But when he got his hands up, he missed the ball, and it hit the crossbar at the same time. The ball took a wicked deflection and headed for the back post; out of nowhere, hustling to the spot was Oscar DeLeon. He got underneath the ball and gave a flick header that went inside the near post and got his country the lead in the 36th minute.
First Half Stoppage time equalizer
As the fourth official posted four minutes of first half stoppage time, the USA was looking to find an equalizer before the halftime whistle blew. They earned a corner along the near side. As the ball was delivered toward the middle of the area, it took a deflection off a Guatemalan defender, and finding the loose ball was Brandon Dayes as he quickly got a hold of the ball and shot it in to level the match at one in the fifth minute of first half stoppage time. As both teams set up inside the center circle, the referee blew his whistle for halftime, and they went inside the locker room to relax and make adjustments for the second half.
USA takes the lead on a half volley
Throughout the second half, the USA were attacking and finding ways to make their shot look dangerous and forced the keeper to make a big save. There was a chance where it looked like the keeper was beaten, but the ball hit the far post and out. They finally got the go-ahead goal as it was an amazing shot to put themselves into the lead. As the play was forming along the far side, attacking with the ball was Jaidyn Contreras. As he got towards the endline, he dribbled the ball across, but dangerously close to the line as if he was walking a tightrope. Then he found Din Klapija at the top of the area with a pass, and on a half-volley, Klapija roofs the ball inside the upper front 90 in the 68th minute.
Big blast gets the two goal lead.
The USA wanted to extend their lead and put an exclamation point against Guatemala. In the middle of the park, Ruben Ramos had the ball and wanted to make a move. He held the ball up and saw Joshua Torquato making a run down the near side. He timed the pass toward the path of Torquato and ran hard up the pitch. As Torquato entered the area, he got himself into position to rip a shot on frame and blasted the ball past the keeper and into the back of the net to make the score three goals to one in the 75th minute. The celebrations were on as the USA punched their tickets to the U-20 World Cup in 2027.
Scrappy game and fireworks at the end
This was a good test for the USMNT U-20s as they faced a Guatemala side that continues to improve on the international stage, both on the men’s and the youth national teams. Since Guatemala’s international suspension was lifted by FIFA, their FA has improved dramatically, getting players up to speed and ready to go. But sadly, when the final whistle blew, these kids quickly turned on the USMNT U-20 side and tried to start a fight, but nothing came of it. For the USA, they got the job done. Qualify for the U-20 World Cup, and they have already qualified for the 2028 Summer Olympic Games as the host nation. Now they face Costa Rica in the semi-finals in the hope of reaching the championship final.
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