The United States qualified for this year’s Under-20 World Cup, beating El Salvador 2-1 on Friday night at San Jose, Costa Rica, on first-half goals by Emmanuel Sabbi and Eryk Williamson.
The U.S. has four straight victories following an opening loss to Panama and can win its first Under-20 title in North and Central America and the Caribbean when it plays Honduras on Sunday.
Sabbi scored in the 18th minute, running onto a pass from Williamson and beating goalkeeper Mario Martinez from about 13 yards, and Williamson made it 2-0 in the 25th when he chested Roberto Domínguez’s clearance and scored with a right-footed shot from 25 yards.
Marvin Marquez beat U.S. goalkeeper Jonathan Klinsmann, the son of former U.S. national team coach Jurgen Klinsmann, in the 35th. El Salvador finished a man short after midfielder Kevin Reyes received his second yellow card, and American midfielder Sebastian Saucedo and El Salvador’s Mario Rodriguez were given red cards in the 89th minute for an altercation.
The U.S. (2-0) and Mexico (1-1) both qualified from Group D for the Under-20 World Cup, to be played in South Korea from May 20 to June 11. Honduras (2-0) qualified from Group E along with Costa Rica (0-1-1), which tied Panama 1-1 Friday night.
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