RANCAGUA, Chile (October 5, 2025) – The U.S. U-20 Men’s National Team received a first-half goal from Noah Cobb but ultimately fell 2-1 to South Africa in the team’s group-stage finale on Sunday in Rancagua. Despite the defeat, the USA claimed top spot in Group E thanks to a superior goal differential and advances to the Round of 16 where the team will face Italy in Rancagua on Thursday, Oct. 9 at 3:30 p.m. ET.
With the U.S. in a strong position coming off two wins to open the tournament, head coach Marko Mitrović made six changes to the Starting XI that faced France on Thursday, and three of those players combined for the opening goal. In the 11th minute, Luke Brennan earned a free kick after being fouled just outside the box on the right. On the ensuing take, Matthew Corcoran swung a right-footed cross to find Noah Cobb who headed past South Africa ‘keeper Fletcher Smythe-Lowe.
South Africa responded quickly in the 17th minute. Neo Rapoo ran onto a long diagonal ball down the left side of the pitch. After taking a touch, the midfielder sent a dangerous cross into the box which deflected off U.S. center back Josh Wynder and into the back of the net for an equalizer.
The US almost got an immediate response when Luca Bombino cross from the left to find Benjamin Cremaschi in the middle of the box, but the U.S. captain’s header was punched over the crossbar by Smythe-Lowe.
In the 27th minute, Corcoran had a chance to put the U.S. back up, but his free kick from just outside the top of the box missed just inches wide to the left.
Just before the end of the half, South Africa caught the U.S. on a counter. Shakeel April got in behind the defense and received a long ball as he ran down the right side. On his first touch, he cut the ball back to Gomolemo Kekana in the middle, who buried his one-touch effort to give South Africa a 2-1 lead at the break.
The U.S. came out attacking early in the second half. Cremaschi forced the keeper into a diving save in the 49th minute. One minute later, Cobb had an opportunity off a corner kick, but his header went over the crossbar. The attacking continued in waves throughout the second half, with the U.S. maintaining possession through the hour mark while creating several near chances.
Cremaschi got another chance in the 72nd minute. The U.S. captain found himself with the ball and some space at the top of the box and sent a shot on target, but Smythe-Lowe collected the shot easily.
South Africa’s best chance of the second half came in the 81st minute, as Kekana's powerful shot from distance was punched away by Beaudry with a diving shot to his right.
The USA had one last chance in the 87th minute when substitute Cole Campbell beat his mark down the right and picked out Marcos Zambrano at the six, but the U.S. forward’s snap header was well saved by Smythe-Lowe.
Despite the defeat, the USA (2W-1L-0D; 6 pts.) finished top of Group E thanks to a superior +10 goal differential over South Africa (+5) and France (+4). This marks the sixth time the USA has finished on top of its group at the FIFA U-20 World Cup.
ADDITIONAL NOTES:
- With the result, the USA claims top spot in Group E and will stay in Rancagua to face Italy in the Round of 16 on Thursday, Oct. 9 at 3:30 p.m. ET.
- The 2025 edition marks the 13th time the USA has advanced from the group stage of the U-20 World Cup and the sixth time it has finished atop the group. The USA previously won its group in 2003, 2005, 2007, 2017 and 2023.
- Noah Cobb’s opening goal extended the record number of U.S. goal scorers at this World Cup to 10. The previous record was eight set in 2023.
- Marko Mitrovic made six changes to the Starting XI that faced France on Thursday, with Noah Cobb earning his first appearance of the tournament and Reed Baker-Whiting, Luca Bombino, Luke Brennan, Matthew Corcoran and Pedro Soma all collecting their first starts.
- Three players started all three group stage matches: Adam Beaudry, Benjamin Cremaschi and Josh Wynder.
-U.S. UNDER-20 MEN’S NATIONAL TEAM MATCH REPORT-
Match: United States Under-20 Men’s National Team vs. South Africa
Date: October 5, 2025
Competition: 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup – Group E
Venue: Estadio El Teniente; Rancagua, Chile
Attendance: 6,520
Kickoff: 4 p.m. ET (5 p.m. local)
Weather: 61 degrees, partly sunny
| Scoring Summary |
1 |
2 |
F |
| USA |
1 |
0 |
1 |
| RSA |
2 |
0 |
2 |
| USA - Noah Cobb (Matthew Corcoran) | 12th minute |
| RSA - Own Goal (Josh Wynder) | 17 |
| RSA - Gomolemo Kekena (Shakeel April) | 45+2 |
Lineups:
USA: 12-Adam Beaudry; 2-Reed Baker-Whiting, 5-Noah Cobb, 4-Josh Wynder, 18-Luca Bombino; 8-Benjamin Cremaschi (Capt.) (14-Taha Habroune, 81), 15-Pedro Soma (6-Brooklyn Raines, 72), 19-Matthew Corcoran (10-Niko Tsakiris, 58); 11-Luke Brennan (7-Cole Campbell, 58) 9-Marcos Zambrano, 20-Zavier Gozo (13-Peyton Miller, 72)
Substitutes not used: 1-Gavin Beavers, 21-Duran Ferree, 3-Nolan Norris, 16-Ethan Kohler, 17-Frankie Westfield
Head coach: Marko Mitrović
RSA: 1-Fletcher Smythe-Lowe, 3-Neo Rapoo (11-Kutlwano Letlhaku, 80), 5-Asekho Tiwani (Capt.), 6-Siviwe Nkwali, 7-Shakeel April, 8-Gomolemo Kekena, 10-Mfundo Vilazaki (13-Luke Baartman, 90+4), 14-Tylon Smith, 15-Lazolo Maku, 19-Thato Sibiya (2-Sfiso Timba 90+1), 21-Siviwe Magidigidi (12-Thabang Mahlangu, 90+4)
Substitutes not used: 4-Patrick Autata, 9-Jody Ah Shene, 16-Kgoleng Ratisani, 17-Langelihle Phili, 18-Siyabonga Mabena, 20-Takalani Mazhamba
Head coach: Raymond Mdaka
Stats Summary: USA / RSA
Shots: 5 / 17
Shots on Goal: 4 / 7
Saves: 6 / 3
Corner Kicks: 2 / 7
Fouls: 10 / 13
Offside: 2 / 2
Misconduct Summary:
| RSA - Lazolo Maku (Caution) | 11th minute |
| USA – Matthew Corcoran (Caution) | 55 |
Officials:
Referee: Dario Herrera (ARG)
Assistant Referee 1: Cristian Navarro (ARG)
Assistant Referee 2: Michael Orue (PER)
Fourth Official: Kevin Ortega (PER)
