Despite an impressive effort, an under-strength U.S. Under-20 Men’s National Team fell 3-1 to Mexico in overtime of the 2013 CONCACAF Under-20 championship final in front of a sold-out crowd at Estadio Cuauhtemoc in Puebla, Mexico.
Tab Ramos’ young team fell behind early, but rebounded with a first half penalty kick by midfielder Benji Joya to finish regulation tied, 1-1. In overtime, Mexico pulled away with two goals, including a spectacular overhead kick for the game-winner by Julio Gomez, to earn the championship.
The U.S. was led by great displays from stand-in captain Joya and his midfield partner Wil Trapp, as well as an impressive performance from goalkeeper Cody Cropper. The U.S. was the only team to score against Mexico and finished the tournament with a 4-1-0 record.
After the match, Trapp, Jose Villarreal and Luis Gil were named to the all-tournament team.
The U.S. now looks forward to the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup, June 21-July 13, in Turkey. The USA’s best finish in this event was a fourth place in the seventh FIFA World Youth Championship in 1989 in Saudi Arabia.
With the U-20’s initial goal of World Cup qualification achieved by beating Canada, 4-2, in the quarterfinals, a few key players returned to their clubs and were unavailable for the showpiece final between COINCACAF’s biggest rivals.
Daniel Cuevas was unfit to make Ramos’ starting 11, but Villarreal was healthy enough to return to the lineup after missing the semifinal victory against Cuba.
The U.S. shutout Cuba, 2-0, to reach the championship match.