I have gotten a number of requests for a historical perspective on the US run at the U-20 World Cup. Contrary to what many may think, the US actually has quite a proud tradition of advancing in this competition but as the following table shows, typically the US finds a way to lose in either the Round of 16 or in the Quarterfinals. The point is, unlike the Senior World Cup, the US is accustomed to advancing into the knock out stage at this event, but the exception of a fluke qualification in 1989 (because Mexico was disqualified from this event and the 1990 FIFA World Cup for using ineligible players) the US has never gotten past the quarterfinals. This chart begins in 1983, which is not when the event began but is the first time the US qualified.
US u-20 History
1983
3rd in Group stage, did not advance
Key players: Hugo Perez, George Gelnovatch
1985- DNQ
1987
3rd in Group stage, did not advance
1989
2nd in Group stage,
SEMIFINALIST
Key players: Steve Snow, Eric Wynalda, Kasey Keller
1991- DNQ
1993
2nd in Group stage.
QUARTERFINALIST
Key Players: Imad Baba, Miles Joseph, Kerry Zavagnan
1995-DNQ
1997
3rd in Group stage; 2nd best 3rd place team- advanced
LOST in Round of 16
Key players: Ben Olsen, Brian West, Josh Wolff, John O’Brien
1999
2nd in Group Stage
LOST in Round of 16
Key players: Taylor Twellman, Carlos Bocanegra, Cory Gibbs, Tim Howard
2001
2nd in Group stage
LOST in Round of 16
Key players: Landon Donovan, DaMarcus Beasley, Bobby Convey
2003
Won Group
Lost in QUARTERFINALS
Key players: Eddie Johnson (Golden ball winner), Clint Dempsey, Bobby Convey
2005
Won Group
Lost in Round of 16
Key players: Freddy Adu, Benny Feilhaber, Lee Nguyen, Jonathan Spector
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2 comments:
So basically the US at this level is like England or Spain at the next level. Always advance, never win.
History repeats!
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