Goals from Figueroa and Berchimas fire USYNT into last sixteen at U-17 World Cup

Gonzalo Segares’ US Under-17 team took a major step forward on Wednesday at the FIFA U-17 World Cup with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Burkina Faso at the Jakarta International Stadium.

The win sees the USYNT mathematically through to the Round of 16 of the tournament with the final group game against France set to determine who advances in top position. A draw would see the European side secure the group by virtue of a better goal difference.

The game was fast and frantic from the off as the American side dominated possession with the African side looking dangerous on the counter attack with Traoré instrumental in all the positive work from Burkina Faso.

The breakthrough from the US came on the cusp of half time as Figueroa and Berchimas in the 45th and added time of the half steered the side in white into a commanding position.

As the second half wore on, the US retreated and little by little the ‘Stallions’ began to create more and more chances before Diarra broke the deadlock netting in the penultimate of normal time. With eight minutes of time added on, Burkina Faso threw everything at the US goal and went close twice with Adam Beaudry the hero for the US with a fine reflex save steering a goalboudn effort onto the crossbar.

After a couple of heart-stopping chances for Burkina Faso, including a crossbar, the Canadian referee signaled the end of a match controlled by the USA but which could have escaped them in the final stretch. In this way, the Americans have a total of victories and will probably compete for first place in the group on the last day against France.

Two wins from two for the US and a place in the Round of 16 as they now face France who recorded a 1-0 over Korea Republic in the other Group E game played earlier.