For the fourth cycle in a row, the United States will be taking part in the U20 World Cup after a 4-0 win over Costa Rica in the CONCACAF U20 Championship on Friday night.
Philadelphia Union teammates Matthew Real and Mark McKenzie helped lead the defense to a third straight clean sheet and two LA Galaxy Academy alums Alex Mendez and Ulysses Llanez provided the fireworks in the first half with goals inside 20 minutes. Juan Pablo Torres and Toronto FC forward Ayo Akinola added goals in the second half.
Real wore the captain’s armband for the fourth time in the competition, which has been a resounding success on both sides of the ball for the Yanks.