MIAMI, Florida – Long-time rivals Mexico and the United States are set to duel for top honors in the 2023 Concacaf Men’s Under-17 Championship in Guatemala when they meet in Sunday’s Final at the Estadio Doroteo Guamuch Flores in Guatemala City.
For Mexico, a win on Sunday would be their fifth straight CMU17 crown and ninth overall, while the U.S. are aiming to win their fourth CMU17 title and first since 2011.
Mexico arrive into the encounter fresh off a commanding 5-0 victory against Panama in the semifinals, increasing their goal tally in Guatemala to 26.
Stephano Carrillo has led the way for El Tricolor and is the co-leader in scoring for the tournament with seven goals.
Not far off is teammate Jose Urias, who has five goals, while Fidel Barajas has been superb as a playmaker, serving up five assists, including on the Carrillo and Urias goals against the Panamanians.
The U.S. will counter with a side that topped Canada 2-0 in the other semifinal, giving the U.S. 23 goals scored in this edition.
Micah Burton scored on a wondrous free kick to help deliver the win against the Canadians, the third goal of the tournament for Burton.
However, the dangerman to watch for the U.S. will be FW Keyrol Figueroa, who has amassed seven goals in the tournament, tied with Carrillo, and will be raring to go for Sunday’s Final after only playing the final 10 minutes of Friday’s semifinal against Canada, against whom he scored on the final kick of the game.
Game Notes, Stats Mexico vs USA in CMU17
Sunday’s contest is also a rematch of the last two CMU17 Finals, each won by Mexico. El Tricolor were victors at the 2017 edition in Panama thanks to a 5-4 penalty shootout win after a 1-1 draw, while in 2019 in Bradenton, Florida, it was a 2-1 win in extra time that clinched the trophy.
