The U.S. U-20 men’s national soccer team faced a disappointing end to their journey in the U-20 World Cup, exiting at the quarter-final stage for the fifth consecutive tournament. This loss occurred on Sunday in Rancagua, Chile, where Marko Mitrovic’s squad fell 3-1 to Morocco. Despite controlling 73 percent of possession, the Americans only managed three shots on target, indicating a struggle to convert midfield dominance into scoring chances.
Key Match Events
The U.S. demonstrated their potential through earlier victories over strong teams like France and Italy, but hopes for a semi-final appearance evaporated against a resolute Moroccan side. Morocco’s strong defense and attacking efficiency propelled them forward in the tournament.
First Half Highlights
- The U.S. began confidently, attempting to assert control in midfield.
- An early attempt saw Zavier Gozo’s cross clip the top of the bar, but it failed to register as a shot on goal.
- Morocco took the lead in the 31st minute through Fouad Zahouani after a sequence involving Othmane Maamma and Saad El Haddad.
- Just before halftime, the Americans equalized with a penalty from Cole Campbell, awarded after a foul on Nolan Norris by Ali Maamar.
Second Half Developments
After the break, both teams maintained their strategies, yet Morocco re-established their lead in the 67th minute. A long throw into the box created chaos, resulting in an own goal by Joshua Wynder, amplifying the urgency of the U.S. attacks. Several near-misses ensued as Francis Westfield and Luke Brennan attempted to net equalizers but were ultimately unsuccessful.
Final Moments
In a frantic final stretch, the U.S. pushed forward, which allowed Morocco to secure their victory with a third goal. A miscommunication between goalkeeper Adam Beaudry and substitute Taha Habroune led to Ilias Boumassaoudi assisting Gessime Yassine, who sealed the match with a simple finish into an empty net.
Conclusion
The U.S. U-20 team departed the tournament with pride but will reflect on missed opportunities for a deeper run. Morocco’s performance exemplified their tactical efficiency and resilience, allowing them to advance to face either France or Norway in the semi-finals.
