CELAYA, Mexico – The 2024 Concacaf Men's U-20 Championship continued with the second round of encounters in Group A on Monday at the Miguel Aleman Valdez Stadium in Celaya, Guanajuato, Mexico.
The United States became the first team to qualify for the quarterfinals with a 4-nil win over Cuba. Costa Rica inched closer to qualifying for the knockout stage with its first three points of the tournament.
Costa Rica earns first victory
Costa Rica played to a 3-nil win over Jamaica to earn their first victory of the campaign in Group A.
Jamaica goalkeeper Joshua Grant, who ended the match with five saves, made consecutive stops in the 19’ to deny Esteban Cruz, followed by Jose Pablo Aguero on the rebound.
Walter Ramirez struck in the 30’, but Grant was there to collect the attempt and maintain the score level.
The end of the first half provided plenty of chances as Alberth Barahona tried from distance in the 45'+3 but was denied by Grant.
Makai Bond Welch struck on goal in the 45'+5 but was denied by Costa Rica goalkeeper Berny Rojas.
Adrian Reid had a look from long range seconds later, but the attempt was just wide as the match stayed even into halftime.
The contest's opening goal came from the penalty spot as Claudio Montero converted in the 50' to place Costa Rica in the lead.
Andy Rojas extended the lead in the 67' with a laser-sharp strike from the outside edge of the box.
Jamaica was down to ten men in the 71’ as Makai Bond Welch received a red card.
Andy Rojas struck again in the 83', this time inside the box to connect with a cross from Walter Ramirez.
United States seals spot in the quarterfinals
The United States earned a 4-nil victory against Cuba for a second consecutive victory in the group stage. The result also seals qualification for the reigning champs into the knockout round.
The opening goal of the match came from a free kick opportunity for the United States as Ethan Kohler found the back of the net in the 15' to connect with the delivery from Nikolas Tsakiris.
Zavier Gozo extended the U.S. lead in the 26' with a strike at the right side of the penalty area. Taha Habroune provided the assist with a pass from outside the penalty arc.
Taha Habroune got on the scoresheet in the 58' by putting the finishing touch on a free-kick attempt after the ball found its way through the wall.
Marcos Zambrano scored in the 90'+1 to connect with a cross from Habroune following a short corner kick.
U.S. goalkeeper Julian Eyestone got the start and notched two saves and a clean sheet in his first appearance in this tournament.
Group A concludes on Thursday with Cuba and Jamaica meeting in the first doubleheader. The United States and Costa Rica will face off in the second encounter.
Canada and the Dominican Republic search for first win
Canada and the Dominican Republic meet as Group B resumes on Tuesday at the Sergio Leon Chavez Stadium in Irapuato, Guanajuato, Mexico.
The Canadians are coming off a 2-2 draw with Honduras. Santiago Lopez and Myles Morgan were the scorers for Canada in the team’s opening match of the campaign. Lopez assisted the Morgan goal and had two shots to lead the Canadians. Jeevan Badwal led the team with 58 passes and three ball recoveries.
The Dominican Republic looks to rebound from a 1-nil loss to El Salvador. Goalkeeper Edwin Frias had two saves to keep the match close, while Yordy Alvarez was denied from the penalty spot in the first half. Maximiliano Jerez stood out with six ball recoveries and contributed 23 passes.
With a victory, either side can take a big step towards the knockout stage. Depending on the result of the other match in the group, a win could also position either side in the race for first place.
El Salvador and Honduras meet again
El Salvador and Honduras add another chapter to their Central American rivalry with a third meeting in the group stage of the CMU20C.
Christopher Argueta scored the lone goal in El Salvador’s victory over the Dominican Republic. The 17-year-old forward netted three goals in five matches at the 2023 U-
17 Championship and scored two in the CMU20C qualifiers.
Goalkeeper Daniel Franco saved a penalty and made four saves in the nation’s opening match of the campaign. He previously recorded three clean sheets and 13 saves in the qualifiers.
Honduras salvaged a point against Canada with a 90'+4 goal from Roberto Osorto. Los Catrachos look to build on the late comeback effort with their first win in the 2024 edition.
Angel Villatoro also scored a goal against Canada in the 55’ to cut the deficit. The Olancho FC forward from the Honduran Primera Division has 37 appearances and five goals and participated in the 2023 Concacaf Central American Cup.
