USA Concludes Group E Play with Showdown Against South Africa
U.S. U-20 Men’s National Team Set for Crucial Match Against South Africa
U.S. U-20 Team Eyes Top Spot in Group E
The U.S. Under-20 Men’s National Team is poised to secure the top position in Group E as they face South Africa this Sunday, October 5, at 4 p.m. ET. After a commanding 3-0 victory over France, the team needs either a win or draw to clinch the group and continue to the Round of 16 in Rancagua. This crucial match will be broadcast on FS2 and Telemundo, with English commentary available on Fox Sports platforms and the Fox Sports app, and a Spanish broadcast on Telemundo platforms.
South Africa’s Rebound Triumph
South Africa enters the match with renewed confidence after a resounding 5-0 victory over New Caledonia, rebounding from their initial defeat by France. With their strong performance, they now sit in second place in the group, holding a goal differential advantage over France.
Group E Standings and Recent Results
| Team | W | L | D | GD | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USA | 2 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 6 |
| France | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 3 |
| South Africa | 1 | 1 | 0 | -2 | 3 |
| New Caledonia | 0 | 2 | 0 | -13 | 0 |
Key Players to Watch
The USA’s dominant performance against France saw goals from Zavier Gozo, Brooklyn Raines, and Marcos Zambrano, who became the seventh, eighth, and ninth different players to score for the team at this tournament, setting a new team record. Meanwhile, South Africa’s Siviwe Magidigidi delivered a standout performance with a brace in their latest match, and midfielder Lazola Maku capped off their scoring.
USA Roster Highlights
The U.S. squad for the FIFA U-20 World Cup includes players born on or after January 1, 2005. The roster, compiled by head coach Marko Mitrović, features players from various clubs, with a strong representation from Major League Soccer. Notable team members include:
- Gavin Beavers (Brøndby)
- Reed Baker-Whiting (Seattle Sounders)
- Niko Tsakiris (San Jose Earthquakes)
South Africa’s Historic Journey
This FIFA U-20 World Cup marks South Africa’s fifth appearance and their first since 2019. Under the leadership of coach Raymond Mdaka, the team clinched a continental title at the 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations. The roster consists mainly of domestic players, with a few based internationally, including Tylon Smith from Queens Park Rangers in England.
How South Africa Qualified
South Africa secured their World Cup spot by winning the 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, demonstrating their strength with victories over formidable teams such as Nigeria and Morocco in the knockout stages.
The U.S. and South Africa’s World Cup Histories
The USA has a storied history in the U-20 World Cup, having participated 18 times. Notable past performances include a fourth-place finish in 1989. On the other hand, South Africa’s journey includes significant milestones, achieving qualifying successes and building their reputation on the continental stage.
For continued coverage on the U.S. U-20 team and their World Cup journey, follow updates on Emegypt.
