Youth National Teams: Japan beats U.S. U-20s, 3-1

The U.S. under-20 national team lost to Japan 3-1 in their second match of the 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship in Bauchi, Nigeria. The first Japan goal was an own goal by the United States’ Nick Downing in the 11th minute. After falling behind 2-0 in the 52nd minute, the U.S. struck back through Ryan Futagaki’s 16-yard finish of a corner kick from Shaun Tsakaris in the 73rd minute. The U.S. let in a third goal in the 85th minute while pushing forward to try and tie the match. The U.S. is now third in the group with three points and a minus-one goal differential, behind Japan’s three points and plus-one differential and Cameroon’s six points. Earlier today, Cameroon defeated England 1-0 to go atop the group. The U.S. faces Cameroon in its third group match on April 11 at 11 a.m. ET. Should Japan defeat England April 11 (1 p.m. ET), the U.S. would need to over come a large goal-differential to finish higher than third in the group. The top two teams in the group advance to the next round, along with the next four best third-place finishers. U.S.– Rimando, Califf, Cherundolo, Bocanegra, Goldsmith (Tsakaris), Downing, Garcia, Pierce (Thorrington), Futagaki, Albright, Twellman (Beasley).

Standings