PUEBLA, Mexico (July 31, 2026) -- The U.S. Under-19 Men’s National Team delivered their best performance of the 2026 CONCACAF U-20 Men’s Championship winning Group A following a resounding 5-0 victory over fifth-ranked Cuba. In the final group stage match at Estadio Universitario BUAP. The Americans secured the tournament’s top overall seed heading into the quarterfinal with three wins and a plus 11 goal differential.
The United States squad got off to a fast start with a second minute goal from forward Jaidyn Contreras, the fastest for the U.S. in this tournament.
The U.S. forward faked a shot and made a quick move to lose his defender and delivered a cross to the far post finding forward Ruben Ramos who got in behind the backline and redirected a header in for the early 1-0 lead. Ramos scored for the third consecutive match and is tied for the top goal scorer after three matches in the tournament.
Continuing to apply pressure to the Cuban defense, midfielder Alex Shaw pounced on a misplaced ball hitting a powerful low driven on target just out of the reach of the diving Cuban goalkeeper.
The first real test for American goalkeeper Kayne Rizvanovich was a long pass over the top would to Cuban forward Alexandro Rojas, who set up teammate Yankarlos Iglesias for a clear shot on goal, which Rizvanovich met with a firm hand.
Cuba recovered the ball and swung it around for another shot that was blocked by defender Braden Dunham.
Needing to score at least four goals to overtake Mexico outright as the overall top seed, the USA continued its relentless attack generating back-to-back shots forcing key saves from the Cuban goalkeeper Yurixander Zayas right before halftime.
The second half had two hard challenges for the U.S. go to VAR review but resulted in no penalty kicks after extensive reviews by referee Jorge Leira.
The U.S. remained persistent in their attack and found their third goal of the match when Contreras delivered a near post corner on to the head of defender Brandon Dayes, who had just subbed on 10 minutes earlier. Dayes outjumped the Cuban defender and powered the ball to the far corner for a 3-0 lead in the 75th minute.
Just three minutes later, the Americans attack continued with forward Din Klapija who passed to Xanti Oyharçabal and selflessly set up Joshua Torquato running toward the top of the box. Torquato hit a driven left-footed shot into the bottom right corner for the fourth goal of the match, securing the top overall seed over Mexico on goal difference.
To cap off a stellar night, Dylan Vanney with a give and go to Oyharçabal at the top of the box, Vanney then dribbled deeper into the box using his body to shield off defenders before guiding the ball into the net in the 82nd minute to make it 5-0.
The Americans ended the night with five different goal scorers, a third consecutive clean sheet and a plus eleven goal differential to secure the top overall seed in the tournament heading into the quarterfinals.
The U.S. is scheduled to play the 8th ranked team following the conclusion of the group stage that will be determined after Saturday’s Group C matches. The first knockout round match will be played on August 4th at 10 p.m. ET in Puebla, Mexico at Estadio Universitario BUAP.
Follow the team’s performance and watch broadcast in English on FOX Broadcast networks with select matches on the Concacaf YouTube channel. Fans can follow all the action on ussoccer.com as well as U.S. Soccer Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Match: United States U-19 Men's National Team vs. Cuba U-20 Men’s National Team
Date: June 31, 2026
Competition: 2026 CONCACAF U-20 Men’s Championship – Group A
Venue: Estadio Universitario BUAP; Puebla, México
Weather: 66 degrees, cloudy/heavy rain
| Scoring Summary | 2 | 3 | F |
| USA | 2 | 3 | 5 |
| CUB | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| USA – Ruben Ramos (Jaydin Contreras) | 2nd minute |
| USA – Alex Shaw | 26 |
| USA – Brandon Dayes (Jaydin Contreras) | 75 |
| USA – Joshua Torquato (Xanti Oyharçabal) | 78 |
| USA – Dylan Vanney (Xanti Oyharçabal) | 82 |
Lineups:
USA: 1-Kayne Rizvanovich, 3-Joshua Torquato, 5-Braden Dunham, 20-Christopher Cupps, 15-Cooper Sanchez, 14-Javaun Mussenden (2-Brandon Dayes, 65); 8-Alexander Shaw (6-Colin Guske,65); 7-Jaidyn Contreras (13-Tristan Brown, 80); 17-Rubén Ramos (16-Dylan Vanney, 65); 18-Xantiago Oyharçabal, 19-Colton Swan (9-Din Klapija, 75)
Subs not used: 12-William Lodmell, 21-Lucas McPartlin, 4- Christopher Applewhite, 10 Santiago Morales
Head Coach: Gonzalo Segares
CUB: 12-Yurixander Zayas, 5-Robert Zerquera (19-Rainiel Morales, 79); 4-Miguel Morales, 3-Erick Martín, 2-Yeasy Quiñones, 10-Didier Reinoso, 15-Jennier Batista, 20-Deiby Borrell (8-Enzo Viamontes, 85); 13-Alexandro Rojas (7-Jade Quinones, 69); 14-Yankarlos Iglesias (11-Alien Aguila, 85); 17-Pedro Calzado (6-Jose Pérez, 69)
Subs not used: 21-Camilo Diaz, 9-Alexander Grave, 16-Cristian Bravo, 18-Raynel Labori
Head Coach: Sandro Sevillano
Stats Summary: USA / CUB
Shots: 16 / 8
Shots on Goal: 9 / 1
Saves: 1 / 4
Corner Kicks: 6 / 1
Fouls: 12 / 3
Offside: 1 / 0
| Misconduct Summary | |
| CUB – Didier Reinoso (Caution) | 6th minute |
| USA – Javaun Mussenden (Caution) | 43 |
| CUB – Jennier Batista (Caution) | 73 |
| CUB – Jose Pérez (Caution) | 93 |
Officials:
Referee: Jorge Leira (PAN)
Assistant Referee 1: William Chow (CRC)
Assistant Referee 2: Brandon Cyrus (GUY)
Fourth Official: Shavin Greene (GUY)