U.S. Men’s Youth National Team levels Fiji 3-O at the FIFA Under-20 World Cup Tournament 

The Under-20 U.S. Men’s Youth National Team (USYNT) found their mojo in the second half of their second outing in Group B at the FIFA Under-20 World Cup Tournament, when they scored three times defeated a stubborn Fiji Team, 3-0.

The rising Yanks dominated the showdown by out possessed Fiji 78% to 22%. They unleashed 31 shots, of which seven were on target. 

The always ambitious Rapids’ Academy product, Darren Yapi, alone got off five close range shots during his 75 minutes of his commendable play. 

Head coach Mikey Vargas called on the 18-year-old to start the afternoon fixture that was played in San Juan, Argentina before a chipper audience. 

The 6’2″ striker is the youngest player in the Rapids’ rank and file to sign a professional contract. He was offered a Homegrown Player deal when he turned 16.

“We’re really excited for this group to compete against the world’s best in Argentina,” said Varas ahead of the team’s opening game against a stubborn Educator side this past Sunday. 

Yapi came off of the bench in the second half and helped the team score its loan goal in the closing moments of the tense game.

Varas, added, “To represent your country at a World Cup is a tremendous honor. We embrace the responsibility that comes with this opportunity. This group has put in so much hard work since the cycle kicked off to get to this point, and we will give everything on and off the field for our country. We’re very appreciative of the cooperation we’ve had from clubs, both at home and abroad… to release their players and let them shine on this global stage.

While Yapi did not find the back of the net against Fiji, his fellow MLS standouts did. 

First, Real Salt Lakes’ Diego Luna curled in a goal from distance in the 66th minute.

Twenty minutes later, he was following by Yapi’s partner, forward Cade Cowell. He replicated Luna’s shot with a curve ball of his own. 

The stalwart Cowell has played over 4,500 regular-season minutes in MLS and has three USMNT caps.

Atlanta’s swift winger, Caleb Wiley, finish the match with an easy follow-up goal in stoppage time, and the small crowd of American patriots roared with delight.

With six points from its first two matches, the U.S. currently sits atop Group B and is in excellent position to advance to the knockout stage. The top two teams in each of the six groups, as well as the four best third-place teams, move onto the Round of 16.

Next up, the MLS heavy Stars and Stripes will face a very talented Slovakia team in its final group stage match this Friday, May 26.  

Slovakia crushed Fiji 4-0 in their opening game of the tournament.

Photo Credit: U.S. Soccer.

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