The United States men's U-20 team beat Costa Rica 2-0 on Tuesday night to advance to the semifinals of the Concacaf U-20 Championship in Honduras, clinching a place at the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup and moving one win away from a spot at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
The Philadelphia Union's Paxten Aaronson — younger brother of Leeds United and USMNT attacker Brenden Aaronson — was man of the match for the USYNT with both goals.
The U.S. opened the scoring in the fifth-minute after Quinn Sullivan picked out Aaronson at the top of the box. The 18-year-old let the pass run across his body before planting a left-footed finish beyond Bayron Mora.
Paxten Aaronson makes it 1-0 over Costa Rica early in the Concacaf U-20 Championship quarterfinals pic.twitter.com/g1tvNqAXP0
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 28, 2022
Shortly after halftime, the New York Red Bulls' Caden Clark cushioned a header back for Aaronson to sweep home.
USA's Paxten Aaronson scores his second goal in the Concacaf U-20 Championship quarterfinals! @Paxten_30 | @USYNT
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 29, 2022
Costa Rica had an opportunity to get back in it from the spot in the 54th minute, but Brandon Aguilera missed the top corner.
¡Lo voló!
Aguilera tuvo la oportunidad de descontar y la mandó a la tribuna.2-0 #Concacaf | #TeamUSA | #CostaRica
EN VIVO
TUDN
https://t.co/pda5DybddF pic.twitter.com/946GBoUOkw— TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) June 29, 2022
The U.S. awaits the winner of Tuesday's late match between Honduras and Panama in the semis with a spot at the Games on the line. That match is scheduled for July 1 at 7:00 p.m. ET.
