While the U.S. Men's national soccer team had a disappointing performance in the Copa America, the U.S. Men's U-20 Team has done well at the Under 20 World Cup taking place in Canada. After a 1-1 tie against South Korea, the U.S. squad posted a blistering 6-1 win over Poland, led by a hat trick by Freddy Adu and a two goal performance by Danny Szetela. The team plays Brazil tonight in the final match of group play. Win or a tie against the Brazilians means the U.S. would win their group and advance to the next round. Even if the U.S. were to lose their final match, they would likely come in second place in the group and advance so long as the Poles don't score 7 or more goals against the South Koreans.
Although the United States has not beaten the Brazilians in three previous meetings, the Poles did beat the Brazilians in an earlier match.
The American roster, in addition to goal scoring phenom Adu and Szetela, also boasts some fantastic goals scorers in Josmer Altidore (NY Red Bulls) and Harvard University's Andre Akpan. The team also has 14 professional players, including 11 who play in the MLS and a player each from the Dutch top league, the English Premieer League and Italy's Serie A. Led by Captain Freddy Adu, who is only the second player in soccer history to play in three U-20 world cups (2003 at age 14, 2005 and this year), the U-20 is now poised to win its group for the third straight time. The U.S. clearly hopes to advance farther than it has in previous years. In 2003, the squad lost in the quareterfinals to Argentina and to Italy in 2005 in the round of 16.
A move to the semi-finals will be a victory for the U.S. squad. Many of the players on the U-20 team have experience with teh senior Men's team and that will improve their chances a great deal.
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