USA vs Fiji score highlights as USYNT ride big second half to earn knockout stage spot at U20 World Cup
The United States U-20 side picked up a necessary three points, topping Fiji 3-0 to secure qualification to the knockout stages with a game still to go in group stage play.
Yet, in truth, it was all a bit disappointing, as they wasted countless chances and failed to run up the score, leaving them short on goal differential, which could come into play in the standings.
Still, it was a gritty performance by Mikey Varas’s side, as Diego Luna, Cade Cowell, and Caleb Wiley all netted up second-half goals to secure the victory. Fiji defended in a low block the entire match, pouring players behind the ball and making it extremely difficult for the U.S. to find a way through. When they did unlock the Oceania side, the finishing touches were desperately poor, and the Americans grew increasingly frustrated.
Finally, after 66 minutes, substitute Luna provided the finish to make the much-needed breakthrough, and Cowell’s exceptional finish doubled the lead to wrap up the points late in the match. Cowell then hit the woodwork twice in stoppage time, but the U.S. found a third through Caleb Wiley in the dying minutes.
After Slovakia, next up for the USYNT, beat this Fiji side 4-0 in the opener, they will hold the goal differential tiebreaker should they play to a draw in the group finale and finish level on points in the standings.