The U.S. U-20 MNT shut out El Salvador to secure a berth in the FIFA U-20 Men’s World Cup this summer in New Zealand. The win advances the U. s. to its ninth World Cup in its last 10 tries.The game-winner came on a first-half header by Ben Spencer. Paul Arriola came on as a second-half substitute and scored the second goal.
Goalkeeper Zack Steffens, the former University of Maryland Terps, came up big early in the second half to stop an El Salvador penalty kick to keep the U.S. ahead 1-0.
Romain Gall’s five goals led the USA in the CONCACAF tournament, out scoring opponents 14-2. After opening witha 1-1 draw against Guatemala and a 1-0 upset loss to Panama, the young Americans posted four wins by shutout.
Sixteen of the 24 spots have now been settled for the World Cup.
- CONCACAF (4): Mexico, Panama, Honduras, USA
- AFC (4): Korea DPR, Myanmar, Qatar, Uzbekistan
- CAF (4): Teams qualify from the 2015 African U-20 Championship
- CONMEBOL (4): Teams will qualify from the 2015 South American Youth Championship
- OFC (2): Fiji, New Zealand (host)
- UEFA (6): Austria, Germany, Hungary, Portugal, Serbia, Ukraine