The USA U-20 men's squad secured a spot in the Round of 16 at the U-20 World Cup after a 3-0 victory vs. Fiji on Tuesday. While the USA will be happy with the three points, there was some seriously poor shooting on display.
Realistically Tuesday’s USA-Fiji score line should have been 7-0 or more, however the American players couldn’t find the back of the net for the longest time.
The breakthrough took 66 minutes as a Diego Luna goal put to bed the idea of a historic Fiji draw.
RESISTANCE BROKEN @realsaltlake's Diego Luna puts the @USYNT ahead 1-0! pic.twitter.com/qraI2Kqaa1
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) May 23, 2023
Cade Cowell then doubled the lead in the 88th minute with the best strike of the day.
WHAT A BEAUTY
The @USYNT increases it advantage to 2-0 thanks to the @SJEarthquakes' Cade Cowell! pic.twitter.com/TCDtsAo0PT— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) May 23, 2023
Caleb Wiley was gifted the USA’s third goal in the 99th minute when a free kick deflected off the post right to his feet for the tap in.
THEY CAN'T STOP SCORING!@ATLUTD'S CALEB WILEY ADDS TO THE @USYNT LEAD! pic.twitter.com/qkvvYLknmw
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) May 23, 2023
In total the USA recorded 30 shots and were only able to get seven on target. Some credit needs to go to Fiji’s defense for making life difficult for the USA, but plenty of blame falls on the shoulders of the American players.
Now let’s look at all those misses from the boys wearing white.
USA U-20 vs Fiji highlights (or lowlights we should say)
10th Minute
@USYNT U-20s Darren Yapi with the early attempt that ended being ruled offside pic.twitter.com/UHT0vA4bQz
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) May 23, 2023
15th Minute
@SJEarthquakes's Cade Cowell applying the pressure for @USYNT U-20s pic.twitter.com/clIk54YYZq
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) May 23, 2023
20th Minute
Just wide @PhilaUnion's Quinn Sullivan nearly etches his name on the scoresheet for the @USYNT in the 20' minute! pic.twitter.com/AOqwG3M8sU
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) May 23, 2023
40th Minute
@ColoradoRapids Darren Yapi nearly finds the breakthrough for @USYNT U-20s pic.twitter.com/B3m6L9BAr2
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) May 23, 2023
67th Minute
@realsaltlake's Diego Luna nearly makes a brace for himself! pic.twitter.com/AWS7D0g5Fk
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) May 23, 2023
These are just the highlights that FOX Soccer posted. There were many more wayward shots and inexplicable misses during Tuesday’ game.
All the players can do now is leave this game in the past, be happy with the three points and look forward to the next games.
The USA will focus on cleaning up the finishing in their final group stage game vs. Slovakia on Friday at 2 p.m. ET.
With the four best third-placed teams also advancing to the Round of 16 the USA have already guaranteed a spot in the knockout stages.
