Gio Reyna had a first-half hat-trick. (Photo courtesy of NYCFC)
BRADENTON, Fla. – The U.S. is only a win away from the FIFA Under-17 World Cup.
The United States men advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2019 Concacaf U-17 Championship with an 8-0 victory over Guadeloupe at IMG Academy Thursday.
The Americans will face Panama on Sunday at 2 p.m. ET (Concacaf Facebook, Univision Deportes). With a win, the U.S. will earn a berth to the FIFA U-17 World Cup for what would be a record 17th qualification to the tournament.
Former New York City FC Academy player Gio Reyna, the team captain, recorded a hat-trick within a 22-minute span in the opening half, and an assist.
Despite a weather delay two minutes into the match, the U.S. came out hot upon the resumption of play, as Alfonso Ocampo-Chavez hammered in the team’s first goal within a minute of the restart.
The U.S. found the back of the net six times before the halftime whistle, dominating the run of play as Reyna tallied a his three goals. Gianluca Busio added his fourth of the tourney and Griffin Yow netted his third before the break.
Joe Scally of Lake Grove, N.Y. assisted on the Americans’ third goal.
Playing with a comfortable lead, the U.S. continued to control the game on the other side of halftime as Ocampo-Chavez added his second, before an own goal from Guadeloupe defender Hans Dezac closed the scoring.
The hoss held nearly 80 percent of possession throughout the match, outshooting Guadeloupe, 30-5.
