USA U-23 National Team Beats Costa Rica In First Olympic Qualifying Test
Mar 18, 2021, 5:42 PM
Jesús Ferreira #09 of United States celebrates after scoring the first goal of his team during the match between USA and Costa Rica as part of the 2020 Concacaf Men's Olympic Qualifying at Jalisco Stadium on March 18, 2021 in Guadalajara, Mexico. (Photo by Refugio Ruiz/Getty Images)
(Photo by Refugio Ruiz/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The USA U-23 National Team has won its first match on the road to the Tokyo Olympic Games after beating Costa Rica 1-0.
Real Salt Lake is well represented within the team as David Ochoa, Aaron Herrera, and Justen Glad all started and played the entire 90 minutes this afternoon. Furthermore, former RSL winger Sebastian Saucedo and RSL Academy member Sebastian Soto both came off the bench.
Former RSL Manager Jason Kreis is in charge of the U-23 National Team.
It was Jesus Feirrera’s goal in the 35th minute that was the difference between the two sides. Costa Rica made a late surge and was unfortunate not to find an equalizer late in the game.
FT | Three points secured 👊
A goal from @Jesusfcd27 proves to be the difference as the U-23 #USMNT holds strong down the stretch. pic.twitter.com/ALnb0u4o1T
— U.S. Soccer YNT (@USYNT) March 18, 2021
David Ochoa starred in goal. The young prodigy made multiple saves to keep his country in the contest. Of the local players, Ochoa’s performance stood above the rest. However, Glad and Herrera played a pivotal role in keeping a clean sheet.
Saucedo joined the fun midway through the second half and was explosive when in the attack. In true Saucedo fashion, he attempted a shot from 30 odd yards that just missed the bottom left corner of the net.
Soto was kept quiet during his time on the pitch.
Future Fixtures
The next fixture for the under-23 US team will occur on Sunday, March 21st at 5 p.m. against the Dominican Republic. Their final group stage fixture will take place on Wednesday, March 24 against Mexico.
For the US to qualify for the upcoming Tokyo Olympic Games, they must make the final. The top two teams from each group qualify for the semifinals with the two winners of the semifinals making the final and also qualifying for the tournament.
