12115_isi_ramostab_usmntbs060114208 Brad Smith/isiphotos.com
U.S. Under-20 Men's Team

Tense 1-0 Victory Sends U.S. U-20s to Decisive Match

Bradford Jamieson IV's 77th-minute strike lifted the United States under-20 national team over Trinidad & Tobago Wednesday night in Jamaica, setting up a do-or-die match on Saturday.
BY Josh Deaver Posted
January 21, 2015
8:57 PM
THE UNITED STATES under-20 men's national team continued its winning ways on Wednesday, defeating Trinidad & Tobago 1-0 in the final match of Group A play at the under-20 CONCACAF Championship. Despite the picturesque scenery of Montego Bay, it was a contentious and gritty affair between two sides, with the Yanks grabbing the win off a late goal from Bradford Jamieson IV.

After a forcing a turnover in the U.S. half, substitute Junior Flores led a blistering counterattack, finding Tijuana forward Paul Arriola on the right wing, who slid his cross to the feet of the Los Angeles Galaxy prospect for the 77th minute game-winner.

After starting winless—and looking extremely flat—in its opening two matches, the victory advances Tab Ramos’ squad to the final round of World Cup qualifying—a four-team elimination tournament for the final two berths in this summer’s U-20 World Cup in New Zealand.

The opening 15 minutes of action held true to form for the U-20s, which struggled to create aside from a right-footed effort from Romain Gall that skipped wide after a promising midfield sequence inside the opening five minutes.

Needing either a tie or win to move on, the team's inability to finish in front of the net would cast a grim specter over the already-tense proceedings.

Far from a pushover, Trinidad & Tobago did not go down without scoring chances. In the 11th minute, striker Matthew Woo Ling was able to slide behind the U.S. backline. After a smooth, multi-pass movement cutting across the U.S. midfield, he eventually pulled his shot wide of Zack Steffen’s net.

The pace slowed dramatically after a nervy opening quarter-hour. The U.S., despite preventing any sustained attacks on the part of T&T, found it difficult to create its own chances in the final third. Too often, an aimless ball lofted to the striking combination of Jameison and Ben Spencer undermined large swaths of possession enjoyed by the Americans.

For extended periods of time the quality of play truly resembled the pock-marked pasture grass used at the Montego Bay Sporting Complex. Torn to shreds after more than a dozen games through the last week, balls skipped and players slipped all evening long. With the surface greatly effecting passing quality, the Americans found their brief moments of success when they were able to dribble into open space, leading to a trio of solid opportunities to close the half.

In the 42nd minute, Emerson Hyndman continued his promising display of creativity, slicing past several defenders before uncorking a thunderous right-footed shot that was swatted away by Trinidadian keeper Johan Welch.

After another dead ball opportunity, a deflected cross from Shaq Moore nearly slid past the far post on the final kick of the first half.

After the break—again, sticking with the familiar script—the best American chances came form dead ball situations.

Another dangerous delivery from Hyndman in the 48th minute led to the best chance of the night for Jamesion, whose side-footed shot was cleared off the line at the final moment.

A half-hour later, after so many squandered opportunities throughout the tournament, Jamieson finally delivered the decisive goal to send the Americans to the playoff round.

With the win, the Americans finish second place in Group A and, by virtue of ending group play as the top-ranked playoff team, will be reseeded to face either Honduras, El Salvador, or Cuba—depending on Thursday night’s results.

Now the fun begins. While the U.S. performance was far from attractive soccer, it did the job. The tendency to play down to their competition, as well the team's well-documented lack of finishing, are both significant concerns going forward for Ramos. To get to the World Cup the team will only need one more win against inferior competition, but if Ramos and his charges want to make a splash in New Zealand this summer, there is still plenty of room for improvement.

ASN Contributing Editor Josh Deaver is a former academic turned soccer obsessive. Follow him on Twitter already.

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