PUEBLA, Mexico – With qualification for the World Cup now in the bag for the US Under-20 national team, Tab Ramos is eyeing a dream final against the Americans' biggest rivals.
“For us, I’d love to meet Mexico in the final,” Ramos said following the United States' 4-2 victory over Canada in the CONCACAF U-20 Championship quarterfinals on Tuesday.
The US coach added that other teams, like Cuba and Jamaica, may have something to say about that, but said a US-Mexico final is the default for CONCACAF tournaments.
“We have to play another rival before,” Ramos said. “But being the United States and being Mexico, we think we will meet in the final, it’s almost normal. But the normal, normally doesn’t happen.”
READ: Ramos says there's more to come from US at CONCACAF Championship
Mexico play the Reggae Boyz on Wednesday evening needing a win to secure their spot at this summer's World Cup in Turkey. Panama and El Salvador lock horns for the fourth and final CONCACAF place in this summer's World Cup.
The US players are enjoying a full day off Wednesday and will train Thursday evening ahead of Friday’s semifinal clash against Cuba in the Estadio Olímpico (6 pm ET, Fox Soccer).
Tom Marshall covers Americans playing in Latin America for MLSsoccer.com. E-mail him at tom.marshall.mex@gmail.com.
