The USA's 2019 Under-20 World Cup run came to an end at an all-too-familiar stage last week: the quarter-finals.
Saturday's 2-1 loss to Ecuador made it three straight last-eight exits in this competition, a frustrating reality, and for the second tournament running they were bettered by strong South American opposition.
But while a lack of tangible progress—at least in a literal sense—will irk the USYNT's following, it's worth remembering three things:
- Consistency at this level is difficult to maintain (2017 winners England didn't even qualify for this year's event)
- The Under-20 World Cup is volatile by its very nature; things can go very right or very wrong (pre-tournament favourites Portugal and France exited at the group stage and round of 16, respectively, the latter at the hands of the USA)
- This group of players led by Tab Ramos has a handful of gems in it that will undoubtedly strengthen the USMNT moving forward
It's that third point that is most exciting—and which we will examine further here.