Adu leads U.S. into Under-20 World Cup

Phenom scores two of team's five goals in qualifying win vs. Panama
Freddy Adu scored twice as the United States beat Panama 5-0 Sunday night to win its qualifying group for the FIFA Under-20 World Cup.

Robbie Rogers, Johann Smith and Jonathan Villanueva also scored for the United States, which qualified for this year’s tournament in Canada when Haiti upset Guatemala 2-0 in the first match of the doubleheader. The Americans will be making their sixth straight appearance in the tournament, formerly known as the FIFA World Youth Championship.

“Our team was highly motivated this morning, wanted to finish the job on a high note and we did,” U.S. coach Thomas Rongen said. “We showed in this game what we’re capable of. We are a good team that came into a very tough surrounding against a very good opponent.”

Panama earned the other berth in the tournament from the four-nation group. Mexico, Jamaica, Costa Rica, and St. Kitts and Nevis will play from Feb. 21-25 for the other two sports from the North and Central American and Caribbean region.

The Under-20 World Cup begins June 30. The draw is March 3.