Alex Mendez and Ulysses Llanez scored first half goals and the United States U-20 men’s national team cruised to a 4-0 win over Costa Rica at the CONCACAF U-20 Championship semifinals on Friday.
The win means the U.S. needs a draw or better against Honduras on Monday to set up a match-up with Mexico or Panama in the Nov. 21 final in Bradenton, Florida.
Costa Rica is out unless the U.S. beats Honduras by more than four goals.
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Juan Pablo Torres and Ayo Akinola also scored for the U.S., who can make plans for the summer in Poland.
Mendez’s goal was a masterpiece, the Freiburg center mid slashing a left-footed ball into the Upper 90. Mendez is an LA Galaxy Academy product.
WHAT. A. RIP. 😱
— U.S. Soccer YNT (@USYNT) November 17, 2018
Alex Mendez fires from 30 yards away to give the 🇺🇸 a 1-0 lead vs. 🇨🇷! pic.twitter.com/BKgoXTFlvT