The United States Under-20 national team celebrated Independence Day weekend with a title, topping their Japanese counterparts, 2-1, to win the 2016 NTC Invitational.
The US U-20s finished the four-team tournament with the full nine points from three games. They beat two CONCACAF rivals in their opening games, winning 2-0 against Costa Rica in their opener and 4-0 against Panama in their second game.
Japan would take an early lead, scoring just six minutes into the game, but the US responded 14 minute later through Sebastian Saucedo, the Real Salt Lake player who is currently on loan at Mexico's Veracruz. Duke sensation Jeremy Ebobisse showed some strong hold-up play in the area before laying it off to Sacuedo, who calmly finished.
The Baby Yanks would find the winner in the 56th minute through Ebobisse, who found the net in all three games during the tournament in addition to setting up three more goals. The goal came as Isaiah Young broke down the right-hand side and crossed for Ebobisse to put through the goalkeeper's legs and into the net.
MLS players Coy Craft (FC Dallas) and Victor Mansaray (Seattle Sounders) also featured in the win over Japan, while Orlando City SC's Tommy Redding was also in the squad for the US. Additionally, two current MLS Academy players, Hugo Arellano (LA Galaxy) and Weston McKinnie (FC Dallas) were in the US U-20 squad, while five college players affiliated with MLS academies and one professional, Auston Trusty of Philadelphia USL affiliate Bethlehem Steel, also made the cut.
You can watch a full replay of the US win over Japan below:
