The Baby Yanks did it.
The United States U-20 men’s national team squared off against mighty France in the round of 16 of the U-20 World Cup on Tuesday, and somehow prevailed with a 3-2 win against a team many considered favorites heading into the tournament.
Tab Ramos’ boys came out and attacked the French side, whose roster is sort of flabbergasting to look at. Just about everyone in the side plays for a team in Ligue 1, France’s top division. The ones that don’t play for Barcelona or in the Bundesliga. This France team isn’t a group of young prospects. They are bona fide stars already, many playing first-team football for some of the best clubs in the world.
And the Baby Yanks beat ’em.
The first goal came on a brilliant counter-attack which PSV’s Richie Ledesma break apart the France defense and then spring Sebastian Soto in with a brilliant through ball.
France then scored two unanswered, and it seemed like the U.S. were out of it. But it was Soto again, broken through by a mesmerizing pass from Timothy Weah, to equalize.
The comeback was completed by Justin Rennicks of the New England Revolution, who pounced on a badly misplaced save by the French keeper and gave the U.S. the lead.
In a nervy final 11 minutes, the U.S. held on. It’s a stunning statement from Tab Ramos’ side and something that fans of U.S. Soccer should be really excited about. This is a special young group.
