Academy

Rennicks bags game winner as U.S. U20s defeat France in World Cup Round of 16

Justin Rennicks U.S. Under-20 World Cup

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. ā€“ Justin Rennicks played the hero for the United States Under-20 Menā€™s National Team on Tuesday afternoon, coming off the bench to score the game-winning goal in a famous 3-2 victory over France in the FIFA U-20 World Cup Round of 16.


Rennicks, who entered the match as a 63rd-minute substitute, raced onto the rebound of Sergino Destā€™s long-range drive and smashed home from close range, completing the young Americansā€™ comeback in the 83rd minute, having trailed 2-1 into the late stages.

The 20-year-old forward, signed as the New England Revolutionā€™s sixth Homegrown player earlier this year, so nearly added an assist minutes later as he darted through midfield and slipped a clever pass through for Sebastian Soto, but the chance was cut out as Soto tried to round the French goalkeeper.


Rennicks has appeared as a substitute in three of the U.S. U20sā€™ four games in Poland, but Tuesdayā€™s appearance was his first extended runout, and he rewarded head coach Tab Ramosā€™ faith with a sharp performance and the match winner.


Tuesdayā€™s win over France sets up a quarterfinal meeting between the U.S. U20s and Ecuador, set for 11:30 a.m. ET on Saturday, with coverage on FS2.