USA vs. Mexico, U-17 CONCACAF Championship: Final score 4-3, Josh Sargent’s brace leads the way

The United States under-17 men’s national team made it two-for-two at the CONCACAF Championship with a huge win over Mexico. After falling behind early, the U.S. battled back behind the stellar play of their captain, Josh Sargent who scored two goals to turn the tide. After Mexico pulled level, the U.S. again pulled away with two more goals to pick up the 4-3 win and clinch passage into the classification stage.

Roberto De La Rosa gave Mexico the lead in just the 6th minute after a throughball caught the American backline off-guard to get behind and he out-muscled Arturo Vasquez and finished nicely past Justin Garces.

The U.S. was brought back level 20 minutes later with a sensational goal by the captain Josh Sargent. A long ball was played into his path, his first touch nifty flick was enough to beat a defender to walk in on goal from a narrow angle and finish very nicely.

Sargent wasn’t done there. He gave the Americans the lead in the 40th minute after fighting very hard in the box to get a shot off that was blocked right back into his own path for a simple finish.

However, the lead wouldn’t last long as De La Rosa would notch his second of the half to bring the match level at 2-2 going into halftime. His snap header from the left side of the box was unstoppable for Garces.

Six minutes into the second half and the U.S. restored their lead through Blaine Ferri. Andrew Carleton assisted on the goal as he slotted a ball to the top of the box for Ferri to strike low and hard past the Mexico goalkeeper. Carleton would come off after 75 minutes, replaced by Timothy Weah. Chris Goslin followed five minutes later as George Acosta came on for him.

Soon after the subs, Ayo Akinola finished off a 3 on 1 break to extend the USA’s lead to 4-2. Sargent started the break, dished to the Toronto FC prospect and he finished clinically to the far post.

Mexico would pull a goal back through an American own goal in stoppage time to make it interesting, but the clock ran out on them to give the U.S. the win.