The U.S. were as dominant as ever as they ran up the score against New Zealand in their last-16 match.
For the fourth consecutive World Cup, the U.S. U-20 men's national team is headed to the quarterfinals. The road there has been largely straightforward, but after being a bit wasteful in the group stage, the U.S. finally showed their ruthless side in a blowout win over New Zealand.
Led by goals from Owen Wolff, Cade Cowell, Justin Che and the recently-arriving Rokas Pukstas, the U.S. battered New Zealand 4-0 in Tuesday's round-of-16 clash. With the win, the U.S. books a date with either Gambia or Uruguay, who will battle it out on Thursday for the right to be the Americans' quarterfinal opponent.
Both potential opponents will be left with plenty to worry about when it comes to the U.S., as Mikey Varas' side put together their most complete performance of the tournament in the first knockout game. Despite several rotations and two new faces in Pukstas and Kevin Paredes recently arriving in camp, this is a team that is totally humming front front to back.
Defensively, the U.S. have yet to allow a goal in four matches, having been essentially perfect on that side of the ball. And, in the attack, after several wasteful performances in the group stage, the U.S. made sure to put New Zealand to the sword with three second-half goals after being gifted a lead in the opening 45 minutes.
That attacking ruthlessness will bode well for the future. Based on what we've seen, this is a U.S. team that can go toe-to-toe with anyone in this tournament. They've won games in a variety of ways and, on Tuesday, they were as dominant as ever with their most vicious performance of the competition so far.
GOAL rates the U.S. players from the Estadio Malvinas Argentinas…
Getty ImagesGoalkeeper & Defense
Gaga Slonina (7/10):
Huge save early on as he pushed away what ended up being New Zealand's best chance. The Chelsea goalkeeper hasn't been challenged much during this tournament, but when he has, he's been superb.
Caleb Wiley (8/10):
Really started to take over early in the second half, creating several chances. Deserved an assist, for sure, but was taken off a bit early for a deserved rest.
Josh Wynder (7/10):
Went for a spectacular goal early on. Was dangerous on set pieces and, once again, didn't do much wrong defensively.
Brandan Craig (7/10):
More of the same from the Americans' top defender. Just so smooth on the ball. It's not often a centerback is your best set piece taker, but Craig proved it once again with his assist on Pukstas' header.
Justin Che (7/10):
Got the third goal to seal the result, taking advantage of a goal-line scramble to tap in on the counterattack.
Jonathan Gomez (7/10):
Had a golden chance to kill the game early in the second half, but just couldn't beat the defender to it. Playing on the right, his weaker side, to accommodate WIley, Gomez did just fine.
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Daniel Edelman (7/10):
Is often overshadowed, but is as important as anyone. A solid shield in front of the backline once again as the U.S. controlled the game.
Owen Wolff (8/10):
Definitely a bit fortunate on the goal, but that won't matter, will it? Been an ironman this tournament as Varas has rotated elsewhere, and was rewarded with a deserved, but lucky, goal.
Jack McGlynn (8/10):
It just seems like every pass he hits is perfect. Helped run the game once again today before being taken off early in the second half to preserve his legs for the quarters.
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Cade Cowell (8/10):
Another game, another goal for the San Jose Earthquakes star. That's three in as many games for Cowell, who once again could have had a hand in multiple goals if he had been just a bit better in the final third. Cowell is just an absolute handful for any defense he faces in this tournament, and European sides will no doubt be taking notice of just how much of menace he can be in all facets of the game.
Diego Luna (9/10):
An absolutely fantastic player. So smart on and off the ball and deadly on the counter. Another big performance alongside Cowell, as that duo continues to shine. Finished with two assists, but really deserves a third for his role in Che's finish.
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Obed Vargas (6/10):
Came on for McGlynn to add a defensive presence as the U.S. looked to kill the game. The goals piled on shortly after, though, and New Zealand's morale sunk.
Michael Halliday (6/10):
Took over for Wiley at wingback. Not too much to note.
Rokas Pukstas (8/10):
Talk about a good first impression! After winning the Croatian Cup with Hajduk Split, Pukstas came on for a cameo headlined by a goal from a set piece. Now, he'll rest up and perhaps join the U.S. starting XI going forward.
Niko Tsakiris (7/10):
Had one pretty good sequence, even if it failed to produce a shot. A very trustworthy supersub in the midfield as this tournament continues.
Kevin Paredes (N/A):
Nothing more than a cameo for a player that featured for Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga on Saturday.
Mikey Varas (9/10):
Got everything right once again as he resisted the urge to throw Paredes and Pukstas right into the XI. The tactics and lineup were spot on, and he got some big players off early as the game was getting out of hand. Job done.