July 28, 2009
“It’s going to be a challenge for sure, but we had the same mentality heading into the 2007 World Cup,” said U.S. goalkeeper Brian Perk, who also played in the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup. “We didn’t have too much pressure on us in that tournament because of the difficult draw and I think we’re in a similar situation this time. It’s definitely a tough group, but I’m excited and I think my teammates will be as well.”
The U.S. will be competing in its seventh-consecutive and 12th overall FIFA U-20 World Cup, previously known as the FIFA World Youth Championship. They will be looking to build upon a successful campaign under Rongen in 2007, where the Americans took the top place in what was widely considered to be the tournament’s “group of death” that included Brazil, Poland and Korea Republic before falling in overtime in the quarterfinals to Austria.
The U.S. qualified by posting a 2-1-2 record at the 2009 CONCACAF U-20 Championship in March, collecting four straight shutouts before being downed by Costa Rica in the final. Costa Rica, Honduras and Trinidad & Tobago will all join the U.S. to represent the region in Egypt.
Out of the 11 appearances in the FIFA U-20 World Cup, the USA’s best finish came during the tournament in 1989 in Saudi Arabia. With goalkeeper Kasey Keller leading the way, the U.S. advanced to the semifinals and finished in fourth place.
FIFA U-20 World Cup Group C Schedule
Date........... Match-up..............Venue...........Kickoff (Local/ET)
Sept. 26 USA vs. Germany Mubarak Stadium; ............10 a.m.
Sept. 26 Korea vs. Cameroon Mubarak Stadium; .........12:45 p.m.
Sept. 29 Germany vs. Korea Mubarak Stadium;........... 10 a.m.
Sept. 29 USA vs. Cameroon Mubarak Stadium; ..............12:45 p.m.
Oct. 2 USA vs. Korea Republic Mubarak Stadium; .........12:45 p.m.
Oct. 2 Germany vs. Cameroon Ismailia Stadium; .........12:45 p.m.
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