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 TĂ©ranga 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)