The USA moved on to the last eight of the FIFA under-20 World Cup and will play Austria. If you want to see why a team should play to the last seconds o####ame the Americans illustrated it tonight. For although the statistics show that Uruguay enjoyed less possession than the USA, the quality of their possession was much better for large stretches of the game. 

When Uruguay took advantage of a ball that slipped from the grasp of stand in keeper Brian Perk to take the lead with only 17 minutes to play this game looked as if it would go down as another disappointment for the US.

But Coach Thomas Rongen threw on Ferrari as an extra forward with around ten minutes left as the US rolled the dice. Seven minutes later the gamble paid off as a Freddy Adu corner from the right found an unmarked Danny Szetela at the back post. Szetela showed great composure before driving a cross #### shot across the Uruguay penalty area.

Andre Akpan – an early second half substitute for what looked to be a badly injured Jozy Altidore – drove to net forcing Mathias Cardaccio into an own goal.

As the game moved into extra time Uruguay began to lose their shape as Edinson Cavani found himself more and more isolated. Dax McCarty had reverted to an auxiliary right back after the equalizer and pushed forward at every opportunity.

The momentum was clearly moving in the USA’s favour and Uruguay coach Gustavo Ferrin must have been regretting the decision to take off goalscorer Luis Suarez with seven minutes of normal time left.

Suarez has been a thorn in the side of the US and once he had been substituted Uruguay lost a key attacking option.

The winner came as the game moved into the last fifteen minutes and another corner for the USA led to the winning goal. This time Michael Bradley was on hand to redirect a shot high into Uruguay’s net.

As Uruguay desperately sought an equalizer there were a few nervous moments left for USA fans. But the USA goal survived intact and the Americans were left to celebrate an epic win.

It’s difficult to single out any one player but my man-of-the match would be Nathan Sturgis. He may not be the fleetest of foot but he can read a game and his positioning is outstanding.

As for Uruguay let's just say that they blew their chance of the Fair Play Trophy.

The USA came away from this game with what might be a vital point against a vibrant and exciting South Korean side. Despite having to endure extended spells of intense Korean pressure the Americans deserve credit for sticking to the task and pulling themselves back into the game particularly in the last thirty minutes.

The opening goal came from a fine cross from Zizzo that eventually found Danny Szetela at the pack post. A diving header gave us the first goal from open play of the tournament. The South Koreans stormed back and Shin Young Rok wasted two fantastic chances before he eventually made it third time lucky.

This under-20 squad is a carbon copy of the senior national team of World Cup 2002. Playing a 3-4-3 formation the Koreans were constantly trying to force the USA to play at a tempo that was not to their liking. US defenders and midfielders were repeatedly caught in possession and if it was not for some wasteful finishing (another trait of the 2002 WC side) South Korea could have had the game sown up by half time. As it was the Koreans again spurned second half chances although US keeper Chris Seitz pulled off a couple of excellent saves in the second half.

Dex McCarty’s arrival into the game in the second half was instrumental in helping the USA to hold on to ball and eventually create some chances of their own. If the USA was to nip a win it looked as if it was come courtesy of a Freddy Adu free kick delivered from the right side with his left foot. As it was both teams traded late chances but had to settle for a point each.

Lee Young Sung was outstanding for South Korea as was the back three. Chris Seitz looked good in the USA goal while Nathan Sturgis recovered from an early slip to help turn back the many Korean attacks. Zizzo and McCarty also played their part.

The next round of games is on Tuesday with USA vs. Poland and South Korea playing Brazil.

You can send any information (fsr@mts.net) that you think might be of interest about the twenty-four countries and I will post a regular selection. If you have a FIFA Under-20 blog go ahead and post your link under comments.

You can also check out the National Post blog.

Toronto FC made in four wins in seven home games this season when they walloped FC Dallas 4-0. In a game of contrasting styles it was Toronto’s pressing and more direct play that triumphed over a Dallas side that looked to build slowly while maintaining possession.

In the early going Dallas had the better of the play but they were left to rue a couple of early missed chances when Toronto took control of the game half way through the first half.

The first goal came after excellent work from Kevin Goldthwaite on the left side as he crossed for Danny Dichio. Dichio’s two efforts were saved by Dario Sala before Edu stuck the loose ball away as it bobbled around in the six yard box.

Three minutes later a free kick swung into the penalty area by Carl Robinson from the right side led to a second Toronto goal. Dichio simply out-muscled the FC Dallas defense to head home.  

Dichio failed to appear for the second half after injuring his ankle while FC Dallas brought on Ruiz and Nunez for McCarty and Thompson. While Dallas enjoyed most of the possession in the second half they failed to create many clear cut chances.

A Carl Robinson header from a wonderfully flighted Kevin Goldthwaite cross after twenty minutes of the second half put Toronto up by three goals and the game beyond doubt. The speedy Jeff Cunningham could have had a second half hat trick but each time his hesitation and indecision when granted lots of time proved costly.

As it was Cunningham did get on the score sheet when he headed home in injury time. Proof, if any is needed, that Cunningham prospers when he acts instinctively.

With all four goals coming from crosses, three of them leading to headed goals, Coach Steve Morrow – himself a former centre back – was be left in no doubt as to where the FC Dallas weakness lay.

As for Toronto they now face six games away from the friendly confines of BMO Field and do not return there for MLS action until July 29 and a date with the Chicago Fire.

Scouting notes
Toronto FC has had Trinidad and Tobago forward Collin Samuel on trial this past week. While with Falkirk, Samuel was linked with a move to Everton of the Barclay’s Premiership. However, his form dipped and he was transfered to Dundee United (coincidentally a former team of Ronnie O'Brien). Ian McCall who had signed Samuel for Falkirk was the man responsible for taking him to Tannadice.

However, McCall was subsequently sacked. When Samuel’s contract was up for renewal at the end of this past season United offered him a less lucrative deal and Samuel opted to become a free-agent. A life-long Dundee United fan described Collin Samuel to me as an enigma (in Scotland that describes someone who once played well and everyone is waiting for it to happen again!) who on his day can be a world beater but who is wildly inconsistent.

Great speed but Samuel can suffer through stretches of games when he is completely anonymous. With Toronto FC due to lose players to the Canadian Under-20 side we will find out this week whether or not Coach Maurice Johnston offers Samuel a contract.