Preview: Erik Palmer-Brown and USA continue U-20 World Cup campaign Thursday vs. Senegal

U.S. U-20 MNT training in Korea Republic

United States U-20 MNT vs. Senegal U-20 MNT
2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup | Group F – Game 2 of 3
Thursday, May 25, 6 a.m. CT | FS1, Telemundo
Incheon Football Stadium | Incheon, Korea Republic


Sporting Kansas City defender Erik Palmer-Brown and the U.S. U-20 Men's National Team continue their FIFA U-20 World Cup campaign on Thursday, facing Group F leaders Senegal at 6 a.m. CT in Incheon, Korea Republic. The match will be broadcast on FS1 and telemundodeportes.com, while fans can also follow along via Twitter @ussoccer_ynt.


Palmer-Brown donned the captain's armband in Monday's exciting 3-3 draw with Ecuador, which saw the United States overcome two deficits thanks to a brace from 17-year-old Josh Sargent and a 94th-minute equalizer from Luca De La Torre. That same day, Senegal defeated Saudi Arabia to move atop Group F with two matches still to play. After battling Senegal on Thursday, the U.S. will close out group stage action Sunday against Saudi Arabia at 4 a.m. CT on FS1.


The United States is one of 24 nations competing at the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Korea Republic. The top two teams in each group will advance to the knockout stage, as well as the four best third-place finishers, with the Round of 16 set to begin next Tuesday.


2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup Group Pairings:

  • Group A: Korea Republic (host), Guinea, Argentina, England
  • Group B: Venezuela, Germany, Vanuatu, Mexico
  • Group C: Zambia, Portugal, Iran, Costa Rica
  • Group D: South Africa, Japan, Italy, Uruguay
  • Group E: France, Honduras, Vietnam, New Zealand
  • Group F: USA, Ecuador, Saudi Arabia, Senegal


U.S. U-20 MNT’s Group F Schedule:

  • May 22, 3 a.m. CT: USA 3-3 Ecuador; Incheon Stadium, Incheon
  • May 25, 6 a.m. CT: USA vs. Senegal; Incheon Stadium, Incheon
  • May 28, 4 a.m. CT: USA vs. Saudi Arabia; Daejeon World Cup Stadium, Daejeon


Sargent became the youngest American to score in the U-20 World Cup on Monday, doing so at the age of 17 years and 91 days. De La Torre's last-gasp leveler, meanwhile, was the latest regulation-time goal scored by the U.S. in its U-20 World Cup history.


Palmer-Brown is set to captain the U.S. yet again on Thursday, having done so in the tournament opener and for the duration of the 2017 CONCACAF U-20 Championship, where the Sporting KC center back won the Golden Ball as the competition's best player. The U.S. claimed the tournament title in early March as Palmer-Brown played in a less conventional defensive midfield role and scored the game-winner in a group stage match against archrival Mexico.


Senegal is appearing in the U-20 World Cup for just the second time, two years removed from an impressive run to the 2015 semifinals. Les Lions de la Téranga knocked off Ukraine in the round of 16 and Uzbekistan in the quarterfinals before falling to Brazil in the semifinals and losing the third-place match to Mali. Senegal dominated Saudi Arabia on Monday, receiving goals from Ibrahim Niane and Ouseynnoue Diagne within the first 17 minutes to seal a comprehensive win.


2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup - Group F Table

<strong>Team</strong>
<strong>Pts</strong>
<strong>W</strong>
<strong>L</strong>
<strong>T</strong>
<strong>GF</strong>
<strong>GA</strong>
<strong>GD</strong>
Senegal
3
1
0
0
2
0
+2
United States
1
0
0
1
3
3
0
Ecuador
1
0
0
1
3
3
0
Saudi Arabia
0
0
1
0
0
2
-2

U.S. U-20 MNT 2017 World Cup Roster by Position:


GOALKEEPERS (3): Jonathan Klinsmann (University of California; Newport Beach, Calif.), J.T. Marcinkowski (Georgetown; Alamo, Calif.), Brady Scott (De Anza Force; Petaluma, Calif.)


DEFENDERS (7): Danny Acosta (Real Salt Lake; Salt Lake City, Utah), Cameron Carter-Vickers (Tottenham Hotspur FC; Westcliff-on-Sea, England), Justen Glad (Real Salt Lake; Tucson, Ariz.), Aaron Herrera (University of New Mexico; Las Cruces, N.M.), Erik Palmer-Brown (Sporting Kansas City; Lee's Summit, Mo.), Tommy Redding (Orlando City SC; Oviedo, Fla.), Auston Trusty (Philadelphia Union; Media, Pa.)


MIDFIELDERS (5): Tyler Adams (New York Red Bulls; Wappingers Falls, N.Y.), Luca de la Torre (Fulham FC; San Diego, Calif.), Derrick Jones (Philadelphia Union; Philadelphia, Pa.), Eryk Williamson (University of Maryland; Alexandria, Va.), Gedion Zelalem (Arsenal FC; Bethesda, Md.)


FORWARDS (6): Jeremy Ebobisse (Portland Timbers; Bethesda, Md.), Lagos Kunga (Atlanta United FC Academy; Tucker, Ga.) Brooks Lennon (Real Salt Lake; Paradise Valley, Ariz.), Emmanuel Sabbi (Unattached; Columbus, Ohio), Josh Sargent (St. Louis Scott Gallagher Missouri; O'Fallon, Mo.), Sebastian Saucedo (Real Salt Lake; Park City, Utah)