U20 USA TEAM/news and latest results

[Frank Cunha]

Mapp: ‘We Can Win It’ 11/12/03

Justin Mapp is not shy about making predictions on how far the U.S. Under-20 Men’s National Team can advance in the Youth World Championships, claiming the Red, White and Blue have as good a chance as any of the 8 teams left in the running.

“Any team that’s left can win it, or make it to the finals… If we play our game, there’s no reason it won’t be us,” the Chicago Fire midfielder told FIFA.com.

And the challenge of playing the current World Champions is only additional motivation for this experienced U.S. side, many who have been playing together for two years.

“They are defending champions so it will be a great test for us,” he added. “We’ve seen them play and they are loaded with talent. But that’s what we’re here for – to take on the best teams. We’re looking forward to it and we’re going to give it all we’ve got.”

Mapp will have as much confidence as anyone on the pitch, having scored the game winner against Ivory Coast on Monday.

“With each victory and the more we play as a team the more our level of confidence goes up. I think with each game, we’ve played better. At this point we know that we can play with any of these teams. Our refuse-to-lose attitude is our biggest strength. Being down 0-1 against Paraguay, a really good opponent, hanging on to clean sheets the way we have really speaks to the spirit in the team.”


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[Soccerdad]

I,ll be match trackin!!!

[BethlehemFC]

0-0 at half.

[BethlehemFC]

still scoreless in the 70th minute.

[BethlehemFC]

unsure of when US got a goal (match tracker says match in the 74th minute, but just posted a 60th minute US tally). Convey scored with Freddy Adu setting it up.

[BethlehemFC]

Adu subbed out in the 78th minute.

[BethlehemFC]

four minutes of stoppage time

[BethlehemFC]

Argentina scores in added time. 1-1. looks like extra time is coming. (also gotta run)

[BethlehemFC]

In a heartbreaker -- the US loses on a golden goal in the 100th minute.

[Soccerdad]

ANY BODY SEE THE PENALTY.............MOOR........DAMIT!!!!!!!

oh well, on a liter note I guess its ok to lose to the defending champs.

[Frank Cunha]

just got home, was a little disappointed, another close game,
so close and so far
got be proud of this young men

[Frank Cunha]

Argentina edges U.S. at FIFA World Youth Championship


December 12, 2003
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (Ticker) - The United States Under-20 Men's soccer team was eliminated in the quarterfinals of the FIFA Youth World Cup Championship on Friday with a tough 2-1 loss to defending champion Argentina.

After a scoreless first half, Bobby Convey gave the Americans the lead in the 59th minute when he completed a good run off a nice pass from teen phenom Freddy Adu.

But with Spanish referee Eduardo Gonzalez looking at his watch during four minutes of added stoppage time, Javier Mascherano's header found the back of the American net. Just 10 seconds after the goal, regulation time was ended by Gonzalez and the match went into golden goal overtime.

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In the 100th minute, defender Drew Moor made a challenge on Franco Cangele to clear a rebound in the penalty area, but missed the ball and hit the Argentine on the left leg.

The Spanish referee pointed to the penalty spot, with striker Fernando Cavenaghi making the shot just past goalkeeper Steve Cronin, who correctly dived to his right but could not make the save.

Cavenaghi also netted the winner in extra time in the previous match against Egypt, when Argentina won by the same score.

Argentina will face South American rival Brazil in Monday's semifinal here. Brazil routed Japan 5-1.

In the other quarterfinals, Spain also needed extra time to beat Canada 2-1, while host United Arab Emirates lost, 1-0, to Colombia.

[Frank Cunha]

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) -- The United States was eliminated at soccer's World Youth Championship on Friday, losing 2-1 to Argentina in overtime in the quarterfinals.

Argentina, the defending champion, advanced to Monday's semifinals against Brazil in the under-20 tournament. Spain plays Colombia in the other game.

In Friday's other quarterfinals, it was: Spain 2, Canada 1; Colombia 1, United Arab Emirates 0; and Brazil 5, Japan 1.


Argentina escaped defeat when Javier Mascherano scored on a header in the fourth minute of injury time to force overtime. Fernando Cavenaghi then scored on a penalty kick in the 98th minute after Franco Cangele was taken down by Drew Moor in the penalty area.

``This is the game -- it is sometimes beautiful and sometimes cruel,'' U.S. coach Thomas Rongen said.

The Americans opened the scoring the 59th minute on a goal by Bobby Convey off an excellent pass from 14-year-old Freddy Adu. Strong play by goalkeeper Steve Cronin kept the United States in the game.

``This was a very intense match,'' Argentina coach Hugo Tocalli said. ``When I go back to Argentina, I will have my heart checked.''

Argentina has won the title four times, the last in 2001 at home.

Also, Egyptian defender Amir Azmy tested positive for the steroid nandrolone, the second

[Frank Cunha]

Spain -0-Colombia -0

15 m in the game

[Frank Cunha]

Brasil in the final
Brazil-1-Argentina-0
Dudu with the goal

brazil won the U20
1983, 1985 and 1993).