FIFA World Youth Championships: USA U20 MNT 1-2 Argentina; USA Falls to South Americans in Quarterfinals After Holding Lead Late into Match - STM Staff

2003 FIFA World Youth Championship - Quarterfinal
U.S. Under-20 Men’s National Team 1-2 Argentina
Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium; Abu Dhabi, UAE
December 12, 2003

ABU DHABI, UAE - The U.S. Under-20 Men's National Team saw their spot in the semifinals of the FIFA World Youth Championships disappear with a spot kick. The USA was seconds away from the semifinals when opponent Argentina scored a second-half stoppage time goal and then followed that with a golden goal penalty kick to win the match. The USA lost the match 2-1 to the Argentines, ending an otherwise exciting run for in the FIFA World Youth Championships.

"I couldn't be prouder of the way we played tonight. We came out and played one of the best teams in the world down to the wire," said U.S. Under-20 head coach Thomas Rongen in an U.S. Soccer press release. "Unfortunately, we got a bit unlucky as they scored with just seconds left. I just like to say that this has been on of the most enjoyable tournaments I have ever been involved in. From to the venues to the accommodations to the matches themselves the UAE Local Organizing Committee was top notch."

The teams were tied at zeros until the 59th minute. Wunderboy Freddy Adu linked up with Bobby Convey on a two v. two counterattack to give the U.S. a 1-0 lead. Adu collected a cleared ball after an Argentina corner. The young pro ran 60 yards then passed to Convey. The U.S. captain uncorked a left-footed shot from 18-yards out that went through the goalkeeper and into the back of the net. Class goal all the way.

The USA looked sure to go through, but an amazing four minutes of stoppage time was added and Argentina made the most of it. Franco Cangele played a ball to Javier Mascherano who headed the ball past Cronin in the USA goal to tie the game.

Ten minutes into extra time, USA defender Drew Moor was judged to have brought down Cangele in the box. The Spanish referee awarded a penalty and forward Fernando Cavenaghi drove the ball inside the left post past a diving Steve Cronin. For most, the call was a joke.

Argentina will face South American rivals Brazil on Monday, Dec. 15 at 6 p.m. at Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. , Brazil cruised past Japan 5-1 at Rashid Stadium to book their spot in the semis. Argentina has won three of the past four championships and have a mental edge going into the semis.

"I just want to say that I'm really proud to be the captain of this team," Convey said in the same press release. "We played one of the best team here to the final seconds. I think this will only help us down the road."

USA and Dallas Burn forward Eddie Johnson notched four goals during the tournament tying Taylor Twellman as the top scorer for the U.S. at any FIFA World Youth Championship.

The USA has a strong run in the tournament and should have gone through to the semis. Not much was expected of Rongen's team, but led by team captain Bobby Convey, the USA lads put together a strong performance that should put the program in good stead leading into U23 MNT Olympic qualification.

Weather: Warm; 75 degrees

TEAM 1st 2nd OT1 Final
United States 0 1 0 1
Argentina 0 1 1 2

Scoring Summary: USA – Bobby Convey (Freddy Adu) 59th ARG – Javier Mascherano (Franco Cangele) 94+ ARG – Fernando Cavenaghi (PK) 100th

Lineups: USA – 1-Steve Cronin; 2-Zak Whitbread, 4-Chad Marshall, 5-Ryan Cochrane, 16-Drew Moor; 19-Ned Grabavoy, 3-Justin Mapp (9-Santino Quaranta, 73), 10-Bobby Convey (Capt.), 11-Ricardo Clark, 12-Freddy Adu (8-C.J. Klass, 78); 7-Ed Johnson.
Subs not used: 6-Jordan Stone, 13-Mike Magee, 14-Clint Dempsey, 15-David Johnson, 17-Knox Cameron, 18-Ford Williams, 20-Jordan Harvey.

ARG – 1-Gustavo Eberto; 2-Gonzalo Rodriguez, 3-Osmar Ferreyra, 4-Mauricio Romero, 14-Jonathan Bottinelli; 5-Javier Mascherano, 7-Pablo Zabaleta (11-Marcelo Carrusca, 59), 8-Hugo Colace (17-Jose Sosa, 73), 18-Walter Montillo (20-Franco Cangele, 60’); 9-Fernando Cavenaghi (Capt.), 19-German Herrera
Subs not used: 6-Leandro Fernandez, 12-Mariano Barbosa, 13-Joel Barbosa, 15-Walter Garcia, 16-Cardozo Players not present: Carlos Tevez

Statistical Summary: USA ARG Shots 6 18 Shots on goal 2 10 Saves 8 1 Corner Kick 6 11 Fouls 14 18 Offside 4 2

Misconduct Summary: USA – Ricardo Clark (caution) 24th minute USA – Ed Johnson (caution) 43rd ARG – Gonzalo Rodriguez (caution) 47th USA – Bobby Convey (caution) 70th ARG – Javier Mascherano (caution) 77th ARG – Franco Cangele (caution) 84th

Referees Referee: Eduardo Iturralde Gonzalez (ESP) Assistant Referee: Clemente Ayete Plou (ESP) Assistant Referee: Rafael Guerrero (ESP) Fourth Official: Benito Archundia (MEX)

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