USA advances to Concacaf U-20 Championship Final with 2-0 win over Costa Rica

MEXICO CITY – The U.S. Under-19 Men’s National Team secured their fifth consecutive final appearance for Concacaf Under-20 Men’s Championship with a resounding 2-0 win against Costa Rica at the historic Estadio Banorte in Mexico City. (HIGHLIGHTS)

The U.S had several early chances and generated a flurry of shots on goal for the first 20 minutes into the match. Forward Jaidyn Contreras won his individual matchups and delivered dangerous crosses, pressuring the Costa Rican defense resulting in multiple set piece opportunities.

The attack persisted and the U.S. finally capitalized off a turnover in the 36th minute. Costa Rican defender Emmanuel Brenes attempted to pass the ball out of his own half and made a long pass to the midfield where American midfielder Alexander Shaw intercepted the effort and chested it forward to Ruben Ramos.

Ramos quickly pushed the ball up field, found space and hit a powerful right-footed shot from distance. The shot lightly hit a Costa Rican defender and altered the angle, making it impossible for the Costa Ricangoalkeeper Ian O’ Rourke to make a save. The goal gave the Americans the lead and tied Ramos as the top goal scorer of the tournament with his fourth goal in five matches.

The U.S. continued the effort to extend their lead in the second half with a powerful left-footed shot from Ramos that forced a two-handed save from the Costa Rican goalkeeper in the 59th minute.

The U.S. defense held strong as the Costa Rican attack looked to equalize in the 69th minute. Colin Guske showcased excellent team defending by clearing a shot and Braden Dunham making a textbook sliding clearance that avoided a foul and cleared away the danger.

After standing tall defensively, the U.S.  extended their lead in the 76th minute. Forward Tristan Brown sent a service off a free kick into the six-yard box, the ball dropping in front of goal where defender Christopher Applewhite was able to slide and guide the ball in for the second goal of the match.

The U.S. closed out the contest limiting Costa Rica to only two shots on goal and dominating possession with 79 percent on their way to their fifth-consecutive Concacaf U-20 Men’s Championship final appearance.

The Americans await the winner of semifinal match between Mexico and Canada to determine their opponent for the championship final on Sunday, August 9th at 7 p.m. ET at Estadio Banorte in Mexico City.

– U.S. Under-19 Men’s National Team Match Report –

Match: United States U-19 Men’s National Team vs. Costa Rica U-20 Men’s National Team
Date: August 7, 2026
Competition: 2026 CONCACAF U-20 Men’s Championship
Venue: Estadio Banorte; México City
Kickoff: 5 p.m. ET
Weather: 73 degrees, cloudy

Lineups:

USA: 12-William Lodmell; 14-Javaun Mussenden (85-Brandon Dayes, 85), 5-Braden Dunham, 4-Chris Applewhite (Capt.), 13-Tristan Brown; 16-Dylan Vanney (18-Xantiago Oyharçabal, 64), 15-Cooper Sanchez (6-Colin Guske, 64), 8-Alexander Shaw; 17-Rubén Ramos, 19-Colton Swan (9-Din Klapija, 64), 7-Jaidyn Contreras (3-Joshua Torquato, 75)

Subs not used: 1-Kayne Rizvanovich, 21-Lucas McPartlin, 10-Santiago Morales

Head Coach: Gonzalo Segares

CRC: 1-Ian O’rourke; 20-Wálter Ramírez, 19-Duane Valentine, 4-Emmanuel Brenes, 14-Adrián Espinoza; 2-Yerlan Sosa (Capt.), 11-Kionell Estrada (10-Dax Palmer, 45), 8-Emmanuel Hernández (6-Jeremi Hernandez, 78); 5-Deylan Aguilar (15-Adriel Pérez, 45), 21-Keyner Hernández (17-Ethan Barley, 65); 9-David Garro (12-Yamil Leal, 79)

Subs not used: 13-Saúl Duran, 18-Marshall Alfaro, 3-Matias Cordero, 7-Gabriel Sibaja, 16-Kaden Farrier

Head Coach: Randall Row

Stats Summary: USA / CRC
Shots:  17 / 8
Shots on Goal: 7 / 2
Saves: 2 / 5
Corner Kicks: 7 / 2
Fouls: 9 / 9
Offside: 0 / 4

Officials:
Referee: Jorge Leira (PAN)
Assistant Referee 1: Jorginho Vasquez (PAN)
Assistant Referee 2: Jose Ojeda (NCA)
Fourth Official: Jorge Ojeda (NCA)