The United States qualified for this summer's FIFA U-20 World Cup Sunday, as head coach Thomas Rongen's side destroyed host Panama 5-0 in the final game of CONCACAF qualifying group A at the Estadio Rommel Fernandez.
Real Salt Lake midfielder Freddy Adu was the star of the game, scoring two goals and adding an assist, while Robbie Rogers, Johann Smith and Jonathan Villanueva also scored.
The Stars and Stripes had actually qualified for the 2007 U-20 World Cup in Canada before kickoff, as Haiti upset Guatemala to put both the United States and Panama through. The win means the USA finish qualifying at the top of the group and head to their sixth consecutive world championship, breaking the record of five held jointly by the U.S. and Mexico. The Haiti win sent Panama to their third consecutive U-20 World Cup.
It didn't take long for the United States to get on the board, as Adu struck in only the eighth minute. Smith did most of the work, beating two defenders on the right and sending a cross along the six-yard box for Adu to plant inside the far post.
Though they dominated the rest of the first half, the U.S. couldn't find the back of the net again until after the break. Six minutes into the second half, Rogers latched on to a long pass from Adu, shook past a defender who fell on the play and drilled a shot past Panama 'keeper Luis Mejia at the near post.
After Rogers' goal, the floodgates opened for the USA. Smith got on the board in the 62nd minute, outrunning the defense to a long ball from Nathan Sturgis and easily putting the ball home.
The Central Americans' task was made more difficult in the 67th minute when midfielder Francisco Castaneda was sent off after picking up his second yellow card for taking down Rogers. His first caution had come in the 31st minute after a late tackle.
Villanueva and the USA made good on their man advantage five minutes later. Columbus Crew midfielder Danny Szetela sent a ball over the top and Villanueva outraced his defender to go in alone on the 'keeper. Villanueva's initial shot bounced back off the 'keeper, and he headed home the rebound.
Adu finished off the rout in the last minute of the game, taking a pass from Rogers 15 yards from goal and hammering his shot into the net.
The 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup will be held from June 30-July 22 at six venues across Canada, including Toronto FC's BMO Field.
Jason Halpin is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
