U-20 World Cup final: England beats Venezuela
- by Soccer America , May 22, 2017
England won its first U-20 World Cup thanks to a 1-0 win over Venezuela on a 35th-minute goal by Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Italy finished third, beating Uruguay in the consolation game on penalty kicks after a scoreless tie.
England's Dominic Solanke and Freddie Woodman won the Golden Ball MVP award and Golden Glove, respectively. The USA's Josh Sargent won the Silver Boot.
Final
June 11
England 1 Venezuela 0
MVP:
Golden Ball: Dominic Solanke (England)
Silver Ball: Federico
Valverde (Uruguay)
Bronze Ball: Yangel Herrera (Venezuela)
Leading Scorers:
Golden Boot:
Riccardo Orsolini (Italy) 5 goals
Silver Boot: Josh Sargent (USA) 4
Bronze Boot: Jean-Kevin Augustin (France) 4 goals
Goalkeepers:
Golden Glove: Freddie Woodman (England)
Fair Play Award:
Mexico
Third-place Game
June 11
Italy 0 Uruguay 0 (Italy wins 4-1 on penalties)
Semifinals
June 8
Venezuela 1 Uruguay 1 (Venezuela wins 4-3 on penalties)
England 3
Italy 1
Quarterfinals
June 4
USA 1 Venezuela 2
Portugal 2 Uruguay 2 (Uruguay wins 5-4 on penalties.)
June 5
Italy 3 Zambia 2
England 1 Mexico 0
Round of 16
May 30
Venezuela 1 Japan 0
Portugal 3 South Korea 1
May 31
Uruguay 1 Saudi Arabia 0
England 2 Costa Rica 1
Zambia 4 Germany 3
June 1
Mexico 1 Senegal 0
Italy 2 France 1
USA 6 New Zealand 0
First round
Group A
Pts. (W-T-L)
GD
7 England 2-1-0 +4
6 South Korea 2-0-1 +3
----------------------------
3 Argentina 1-0-2 +1
1 Guinea 0-1-2 -8
May 20
England 3
Argentina 0
South Korea 3 Guinea 0
May 23
England 1 Guinea 1
South Korea 2 Argentina 1
May 26
South Korea 0 England 1
Argentina 5 Guinea 0
Group B
Pts. (W-T-L) GD
9 Venezuela 3-0-0 +10
4 Mexico 1-1-1 0
4
Germany 1-1-1 -1
----------------------------
0 Vanuatu 0-0-3 -9
May 20
Venezuela 2 Germany 0
Mexico 3 Vanuatu 2
May 23
Venezuela 7 Vanuatu 0
Mexico 0 Germany 0
May 26
Venezuela 1 Mexico 0
Germany 3 Vanuatu 2
Group
C
Pts. (W-T-L) GD
6 *Zambia 2-0-1 +2
4 Portugal 1-1-1 0
4 Costa Rica 1-1-1 0
----------------------------
3 Iran 1-0-2 -2
May 21
Zambia 2 Portugal 1
Iran 1 Costa Rica 0
May 24
Zambia 4 Iran 2
Costa Rica 1 Portugal 1
May
27
Costa Rica 1 Zambia 0
Portugal 2 Iran 1
Group D
Pts. (W-T-L) GD
7 Uruguay 2-1-0
+3
4 Italy 1-1-1 +1
4 Japan 1-1-1 -1
----------------------------
1 South Africa 0-1-2 -3
May 21
Japan 2 South Africa 1
Uruguay 1 Italy
0
May 24
Italy 2 South Africa 0
Uruguay 2 Japan 0
May 27
Uruguay 0 South Africa 0
Japan 2 Italy 2
Group E
Pts. (W-T-L) GD
9 France 3-0-0 +9
4 New Zealand 1-1-1 0
----------------------------
3 Honduras
0-0-2 -3
1 Vietnam 0-1-2 -6
May 22
France 3 Honduras 0
Vietnam 0 New Zealand 0
May 25
France 4 Vietnam 0
New
Zealand 3 Honduras 1
May 28
France 2 New Zealand 0
Honduras 2 Vietnam 0
Group F
Pts. (W-T-L) GD
5 USA 1-2-0 +1
4 Senegal 1-1-1 +1
4 Saudi Arabia 1-1-1 -1
----------------------------
2 Ecuador 0-2-1 -1
May
22
USA 3 Ecuador 3
Senegal 2 Saudi Arabia 0
May 25
Saudi Arabia 2 Ecuador 1
USA 1 Senegal 0
May 28
USA 1 Saudi Arabia 1
Senegal 0 Ecuador 0
Have not seen the USA game yet but did look at the England vs Argentina and England did play solid but to be honest I really don't know how Argentina lost. Regardless the the score that matters is the one by USA.. keep rising
I watched part of the ARG-KOR match and I don't know if it was the pressure but the Argentinians didn't look that impressive. France, Uruguay, Ecuador and Korea all look like they could go the distance.
The Uruguay-Japan game was not all that great. Uruguay preyed on long counter attacking balls hoping to beat a Japanese defender one on one. The first goal scored was a superb, not the goal itself but how the Uruguayan player created the extra little hop, thus committing and throwing the defender's timing off, before shooting. Many players would have just shot at goal but he added the extra movement without touching the ball. All the passes by the Japanese team were made to the feet to stationary players. This team is poorly coached and the players were developed. Japan deserved to lose but neither was I impressed with Uruguay.
How was the Japanese 15 year old from Barcelona ? This U20 has zero dramatics its not as fun to watch as the previous U20s World Cups.. I have not see one player capable of stepping into a pro league and being effective... ok maybe MLS...
TD, I don't know about this japanese kid , which # is he.
You seem to know more about this youth soccer. This is the first WC I paid attention to. You're right ,I'm not impressed either. Both teams play a 442 and notice how slow their attack because have no wingers to pass the ball right away to , to on attack. So during often during game , I tell myself pass it to the wing, but there is nobody there. That means they have for a halfback to come up, and as result the players hold on the ball longer to look for someone to pass to. This why 433 system is the best to play.
TD, after watching Argentina, and Uruguay, notice how quicker these players are with the ball on their feet. They can turn on dime,and hold the ball close to them. Watched that England-Argentina game again..The English didn't pass midfield the first 20min. and they were never able to make3passes in row before losing it...The score doesn't show what the game was really like
Takefusa Kubo @ https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Takefusa_Kubo
You are right about the Argentina side but unfortunately it's more of a Futsal team and that's why even Maradona critique the team. I am also surprisingly that England with a fully professional U20 squad is having problems.. they could not defeat Guinea.. regardless the USA team is the best all round and will win this tournament.
TD, England is a joke. Why Oh, Why do we hire these English trainers and coaches to come over to train our youth in these academies. That country isn't even known for good youth development..
That # 7 of Japan isn't bad but overal I"m not impressed with their soccer. Notice just about every pass down the flanks from the their backs to the flank attacker has him comes back to receive the ball and he has back facing downfield and he is standing next to the sideline. This pass has got to be outlawed and it is constantly made in games...
He was Barcelona top youth product and had to leave because of FIFA juvenile laws-- I am using him as a baseline to compare other young players and so far only that 16 year old from Brazil is much better..
Td, I'm getting ready for the Ajax-Man Utd game. I hope this young team will really show some nice soccer....
Sounds good-- Manchester United should win by 3-1.. youth teams like Ajax does not have the experience to go up against strong veteran players
TD, they are the youngest team ever, we'll see. But i'm glad they have made it this far.I hope It will be a good game. I hope Mourinho doesn't decide to play a counterattacking defensive game. I like to see Ajax win for it is a plus for soccer, but importantly I hope it will be an enjoyable, great game to watch....
Well Ajax lost. Also 7 of the 11 starters aren't Dutch. So much for Dutch football.
Was watching the game off & on and it seems pretty boring. Looked like they were playing keep away also Manchester United was playing 25% relaxed. This is what happens in this CON game where top teams get all the top picks..
There are no "picks" or drafts in European football. Why not stick to the NFL?
But there are draft picks in MLS right so I should stick there too correct ? So you are fine with this one sided European club system that makes it easy for big clubs to always stay on top even if it means stealing the best develop players from weaker clubs ? I say it's a con game and ithe playing field is totally uneven..
Yeah, I'm ok with it - I am not a fan of any European team in particular so it doesn't bother me. I just watched European games because I enjoy watching soccer. Yes, there is an MLS draft but these days most incoming draft picks aren't even good enough to make MLS rosters. Probably time to do away with it. Then, late bloomers joining the league after college can just sign with whatever team is interested.
Do away with the draft and MLS commitment to Recruiting 100+ graduates go out the window.. where is your commitment for college soccer or do you want to continue living in a bubble ? I totally forgot you are anti-education
I don't have a commitment to college soccer - it's a complete waste of time for future professionals. College soccer is great for good high school players but not for future professionals. For example, do you think it would be a good idea for Josh Sargent to enroll somewhere this fall and play NCAA ball? Should Tyler Adams be headed to college this fall?
Give me a break - that would be a complete waste. Few MLS draftees make any kind of impact in the league. You don't need a college education for every job and soccer player is one of those for which you don't need one. Guys can always back to school later just like millions of other people do.
QTD, college soccer is an anachronism. Rant all you want but the NCAA has ignored reality for too long. No MLS club wants a rookie 22 year-old.
Reality is MLS has been building on the draft and making it a big event And 100+ players are getting pro contracts. Hence my rant is reality and MLS is not going to change the draft. Also there are only few Joshuas and yes those Joshuas will be dumb not to go and cleanup from the money pile.
Fire - I disagree with you about college soccer. There is absolutely no reason for guys like Sargent or Adams to go to college, but that does not mean that future pros can't develop in college. Most guys in the top tier of the U20 national team pool should be ready or very close to ready to play professionally, but that is not the case for most professional players, who often begin their career between 20-22 years of age. Leagues like the ACC and PAC 10 offer a decent level of soccer with lots of national team players (not just from the US), lots of foreign players who came up in pro academies, and some good players who did not have that type of exposure available to them. With tweaks to the calendar, there is no reason the college game can't improve and become the equivalent to a legitimate 4th division. Lots of good players have come through the NCAA including guys who have contributed a lot in the just the last two years: Crognale, Morris, Vincent, Harkes, Johnson, Lima, etc. I think Larin and Roldan were drafted three years ago, but they are easily two of the best young players in the league. Now, the number of academy products that go to college will probably reduce greatly as USL 2 comes into existence, but hopefully the level of NCAA soccer continues to rise and produces a handful of good young contributors every year.
R2 - I think pretty much every team in the league would be happy to draft Larin and Roldan... There aren't going to be tons of players coming out of the draft, but there are certainly a few each year. 22 is not necessarily young, but a 22 year old rookie is not going to scare anyone away -- that still leaves something like 10 years of prime performance in that player's career and that is more than any team could realistically expect from ANY player they sign.
QB - You are making stuff up again. 100+ college players are NOT getting first team contracts in MLS every year. The actual number is something like 30, and probably about half that number make it to a second contract.
I think you can add Jack Harrison to the same draft class as Roldan and Larin. That's a damn good trio of players.
Glad you came out of hiding, Kumar. For many reasons, only a fraction of American youths can go to Europe, which is why the DA system is so important.
Give me a break Kumar, DA is the best development option available for most American players in the age groups it operates. College soccer is a waste for elite players. Dempsey would not be spending four years in NCAA ball under the current development system. As you know, due to FIFA rules, most Americans cannot move to Europe until they are 18 unless they have an EU passport, in which case they can go at 16 like Pulisic. Of course if an American can do to a place like Dortmund at 16 they should do it. But that isn't possible for most Americans, regardless of whether they have the requisite talent. But you knew that already and are just trolling. Shame on me for falling for it again.
And what is Mexico doing with that knowledge, Kumar? The best players are going to the DA because they know that that is the best place for them to develop. Saying that players are in a DA for an average of two years is not a damning stat.
Oh what a shock - these guys didn't think any of the teams or any of the players were any good.
What gibberish nonsense you mumbling about now ??
Also, the kid's name is Takefusa Kubo. He isn't with Barca any longer. #20. Came on as a sub in both games thus far.
Fire, you are telling me everything I already know.. how was his game ? Also he is not with Barcelona because of FIFA juvenile rule. The ultimate question is "are American player up to his level or is he another Neymar ?"
What makes you think he is another Neymar? Especially when you consider Neymar the best player in the world.
If you knew his name why did you call him "the Japanese 15 year old"?
Today was going very productive then you showed up and totally effed it up.. luckily I know how to deal with arrogance..I never said Neymar is the best I said Neymar is the smartest and I am not saying he is good as Neymar I am asking opinion on a comparison.. I have never seen him played but heard about him when people made the comparison to him with Messi.. please get off the Prozac before coming on the site
Oh I see - well if you are asking my opinion he is not as good as Neymar at this moment in time. Thanks for asking.
DFB hurt by getting players late from pro clubs-no longer mandatory....
Argentina finally came alive against Guinea but it might be too late for them. England played much better in the first half against South Korea, which looked average until their super-sub SW Lee came in but Korea left it too late. Does Germany have enough to get through?
It's been nearly 40 years since the US U-20's qualified for its first World Cup...what a fantastic accomplishment that was in 1980 @ JFK. However,he we are again...knocked out by "Poverty Ridden" Venezuela! 100's of millions of dollars pour into the US game much of which is allocated to "player development" among other programs. The truth is, the United States does not possess a "Footballing-Soccer Program" for starters in place. Our leagues are not constructed in association with the "Rest of the World." Argue all you want...without "both ends of the table competing" the US game will continue to progress lateral sense but not in a longitude manner...PERIOD! Our Coaching is for the most part, poor! Even at the Academy level, most of the Coaches have never experienced on how is to experience defeat AND be "Relegated" and actually play in a "bottom four or five" for most of ones career! A whole different game "at the bottom" but oh how exciting, yet, consequential. I personally am today working within the Social Services...I find myself in areas of Los Angeles watching "young 8-9 year old's "dreaming" in their school yards. I mean there's plenty of "magic" in this great country of the USA, however, when affiliated with these "Club sides," what do you excpect from the Coaches? One friend of mine said to me, "Peter, pick up a group of kids and start a club with your own philosophy...and at the same time, 'charge the parents a fee...' we all do it! Philosophy? My personal philosophy is not difficult to understand...actually it is very simple...let the kids play, especially, those with talent! Where the problem with "Philosophy" comes into to play with myself is the, as mentioned, the STRUCTURE of our Leagues. Charging "parents?" I responded as in a "dressing room manner," wanted to throw a "boot" with sharpened studs right at his "mug!" What a "piece of work!" It's a racket people and I have no business being associated. And by the way...I certainly qualify. Concluding, if the system does not change and soon, the "Beautiful Game" in the United States will lose the interest of those playing and watching. MLS will become "boring." Our Soccer a desperately needs to change leadership needs to change,
One National Team Coach which I will not mention names stated, "The United States is the 'best' recreational soccer playing nation in the World." Not so...the talent within "third world nations" is "outrageous...self tought!" Money cannot produce talent!!! Yes,40 years later.
Officiating has been by-the-book, but missing Law 18...
Concluding, Bruce Arena stated the other night, "possession means nothing without sticking the ball in the back of the net...and Bastian Schweinsteiger stated in an recent interview, "in America, Football, Basketball, Baseball, and Hockey go "forward...play 'direct'." In Soccer, the Americans, I've noticed go side to side much to much...I believe this is how they teach the game. This must change." Officiating R2 Dad? Come on buddy! See you all either after qualifying or in Russia!