In the wee hours of Sunday morning, the US U-20 side saw its 2017 World Cup come to an end in the quarterfinals after a 2-1 loss to Venezuela in extra time.
With the score 0-0 after 90 minutes thanks in large part to goalkeeper Jonathan Klinsmann, all three goals were scored in the added minutes. Venezuela scored the first two, first through Adalberto Penaranda six minutes into the extra period, with the Malaga striker poking home a great cross from Samuel Sosa.
That was the match-winner, but Venezuela added another with five minutes left when Nahuel Ferraresi headed one in off a corner. The United States clawed one back through Portland Timbers rookie Jeremy Ebobisse in the 117th minute, but it wasn’t enough for the comeback.
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The defeat marks the second straight time the United States U-20 team has been eliminated in the quarterfinals of the World Cup. Two years ago they were dumped by eventual champion Serbia on penalties after a 0-0 draw. For Venezuela, the victory is their second straight coming in extra-time after defeating Japan 1-0 in the Round of 16 on an extra-time goal by Yangel Herrera.
Despite the late defeat, the US can be proud of its performance in South Korea. The tournament most notably saw the emergence of striker Josh Sargent as one for the future, and the defense overall performed to a high standard.