FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Justin Rennicks played the hero for the United States Under-20 Men’s National Team on Tuesday afternoon, coming off the bench to score the game-winning goal in a famous 3-2 victory over France in the FIFA U-20 World Cup Round of 16.
Rennicks, who entered the match as a 63rd-minute substitute, raced onto the rebound of Sergino Dest’s long-range drive and smashed home from close range, completing the young Americans’ comeback in the 83rd minute, having trailed 2-1 into the late stages.
The 20-year-old forward, signed as the New England Revolution’s sixth Homegrown player earlier this year, so nearly added an assist minutes later as he darted through midfield and slipped a clever pass through for Sebastian Soto, but the chance was cut out as Soto tried to round the French goalkeeper.
Rennicks has appeared as a substitute in three of the U.S. U20s’ four games in Poland, but Tuesday’s appearance was his first extended runout, and he rewarded head coach Tab Ramos’ faith with a sharp performance and the match winner.
Tuesday’s win over France sets up a quarterfinal meeting between the U.S. U20s and Ecuador, set for 11:30 a.m. ET on Saturday, with coverage on FS2.
