The CONCACF U-20s are in full swing down in Jamaica and FC Dallas players have played a big part in the tournament as Mexico and the USA look to qualify for the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup in New Zealand. Let's take a look at how both of our FC Dallas professional players have done as well as a quick look at an Academy player making headlines.
Jesse Gonzalez and Mexico U-20s perfect through three games
It's been a fantastic tournament for Jesse Gonzalez and the Mexico U-20s who look set to cruise to one of the two automatic qualifying spots.
Mexico is a perfect 3-0-0 in the tournament with an astounding +13 goal differential. FC Dallas Homegrown goalkeeper Jesse Gonzalez has played every minute of all three games in goal for Mexico allowing just one goal for El Tri.
The Mexican U-20s won their first match against Cuba by an astounding 9-1 scoreline, following that up with a hard-fought 2-0 win over Canada. In their third match of the tournament, Mexico impressively dispatched of Honduras by a 3-0 score to solidify their spot at the top of the group.
Judging by the highlights, Gonzalez hasn't had a ton of work in his two shutouts, though stiff tests await in El Salvador and a potential U-20 Championship game. Mexico can clinch the top spot in the group and a place in the 2015 U-20 World Cup with a win over El Salvador on Monday.
Up and down for Kellyn Acosta & USA U-20s
Team captain Kellyn Acosta and the US Soccer U-20s have had an up and down tournament so far in Jamaica going 1-1-1 and finding themselves in third place in the group with two matches left.
In their first match against Guatemala, the United States led 1-0 late in the match before FCD Academy player Andy Ruiz scored surely the goal of his life on a 20-yard volley to send the game to a 1-1 tie.
The next match was a crucial game against a very good Panama side that the United States surprisingly dropped 1-0leaving them in a tough position near the bottom of the group.
USA bounced back with a huge 8-0 win over lowly Aruba that shot the US back up to third in the group standings. Kellyn Acosta started and played the first two matches for the US U-20s as captain.
The United States certainly has their work cut out for them in the next week with games against hosts Jamaica on Sunday and Trinidad & Tobago on Wednesday. The US needs to finish at least third to qualify for the one-game knockout round with the winner advancing to the U-20 World Cup.
FCD Academy's Ruiz leads surprising Guatemala U-20s
RUIZ Golazo vs US
Perhaps the biggest surprise of the CONCACAF U-20s has been Guatemala and FCD Academy midfielder Andy Ruiz scored the goal everyone was talking about in the 1-1 draw against the United States.
Guatemala has followed that up with wins over Trinidad & Tobago and Jamaica giving them a great shot to either win the group or finishing second.
Ruiz has played every minute of the three matches scoring the goal against the United States.
Guatemala has games against Aruba and group-leading Panama left with two wins securing them the top spot in the group and a berth in the 2015 U-20 World Cup.
