Costa Rica vs United States | 2026 Concacaf Men's Under-20 Championship Semifinal

The World Cup spot is already assured. Now it's all about a place in the regional final. It is Costa Rica and the United States from the iconic Estadio Banorte in Mexico City. Turquoise and pink kits, the U.S. and their alternate dark blues, and we are rolling in Mexico City. The U.S. down this right side. That's a neat layoff and a chance to cross it first time for Dylan Vanney, and it's on goal. The first shot can Dylan Vanney and company produce. With the near post, and it's tipped over, and O'Rourke got a fingertip to it. Great save. It'll be another corner. Sidesteps one. Slips a good ball for Vanney. Vanney clips it back in, and this is toward goal, but an easier save for O'Rourke this time. Just a few feet lower, but over 7,000 feet as well, as the U.S. now from a turnover come forward with Ramos, and Ramos scores from a deflection, and the United States break through against Costa Rica. It's his team leading fourth of the tournament for Ruben Ramos, and it's a semifinal lead. Here is halftime from referee Jorge Liera. The U.S. with almost all of the ball in the first half. It took them 36 minutes to break through. Ruben Ramos finally doing so. They're in the turquoise and pink, the U.S. in the dark blue. We're back rolling in Mexico City. Contreras, and then Shaw, and then Swann, and then Ramos, and Ruben Ramos tipped over by O'Rourke. Flick it for Mussenden. No way out for Costa Rica. Lifted toward the backside, and Applewhite got Clapia off the chest for Contreras. Contreras returns for Clapia. Dan Clapia blocked. Tries to win it back and does at the edge of the area. Then the left-footed scuff by Oyer Sabo. U.S. dealt with the second ball for now. It's back with Brenes, and Brenes crosses. Away to the edge of the area by Guske. Hit with the left and saved by Laudmel, and the rebound is hooked away. Goal-saving clearance from Braden Dunham. Oyer Sabo, who's standing over this, but instead it's the left foot that takes it and curls it, and they score! Applewhite tucks it home, and the USA pull away a two-goal lead and one foot in the final. There's still some work for the U.S. to do. Costa Rica, if they could grab a goal here from somewhere, could still set up a fascinating finish, but Laudmel easily claims that. Torquato did for Clapia. Instead it's Days. Days cuts it back. Oh, big block, and it spins toward O'Rourke. Back for Ramirez. Ramirez crosses in. The overhead attempt, and then it was swung on and missed. Kept alive at the edge of the area. Hit with the left, and that is on frame. Just the second shot on target for Costa Rica today. Down the finish by Applewhite. More than enough for the United States. It is over in Mexico City, and the United States tame Los Ticos and move on to a fifth consecutive CONCACAF under-20 final.