U.S. U-20 Men beat Denmark 3-2, advance to Milk Cup Final to play host Northern Ireland

The U.S. U-20 MNT has advanced to the final of the Milk Cup Elite Section in Northern Ireland after a wild 3-2 win against Denmark on Wednesday evening in Coleraine.

Combined with the USA’s win on Monday against China, Thomas Rongen’s team takes six points to have a shot at the championship, where they will face the hosts on Friday at 1 p.m. ET. The U.S. is the only team in the Elite Section to take two wins from its first two games, and will face a Northern Ireland team that drew 1-1 with Mexico and topped China 5-0.

After the Americans allowed an early goal, Adrian Ruelas drew them even at 1-1 heading into halftime. Fuad Ibrahim scored for the U.S. just minutes after entering as a substitute, but an own goal put the score even once again at 2-2. In the 89th minute, with the U.S. knowing they needed a win, Ruelas provided the winner that sent his team to the Final.

The other placement games at the Milk Cup will see Japan and China meet for fifth place and Mexico taking on Denmark for third place.

Milk Cup Elite Section Schedule/Results
Date          Result
June 26     Denmark 4, Japan 1
June 26    USA 1, China 0
June 26     Mexico 1, Northern Ireland 1
June 28    USA 3, Denmark 2
June 28     Northern Ireland 5, China 0
June 28     Mexico 3, Japan 1
June 30     Fifth Place: Japan vs. China
June 30     Third Place: Mexico vs. Denmark
June 30    Final: USA vs. Northern Ireland

2010 Milk Cup Elite Section Standings