Six goals scored, zero conceded: Mikey Varas couldn't have dreamed it up any better. The U.S. U20 men's national team head coach led his side through a perfect group stage, and that isn't hyperbole. These three games couldn't have gone much better.
Wins over Ecuador, Fiji and Slovakia, showed the team's different sides. They battled it out against Ecuador before a heroic late goal. They battered an overmatched Fiji until they capitulated. Finally, they created a host of chances against a pretty game Slovakia side, who did little to nothing with the ball.
What made it all the more impressive is the sheer amount of players that had a good run. Varas did well to rotate his side, one already weakened by absences, and every game felt like it had a different star. From Jonathan Gomez's heroics in the opener to Cade Cowell's blitz in the finale, this wasn't a one-man show.
There were several standouts, though, for a team that saw just about everyone make their case. Varas will have some problems in the knockouts as he'll now have to figure out how to line up a team with just about everyone in form.
Those are good problems, though. He'll enjoy that part of it as the U.S. prepares for the knockouts yet again. They've been here five times running, but have yet to make the semifinal.
Is this their year? We'll see how it all shakes out but, based on what we've seen, the U.S. will be a scary opponent for anyone in their way.
With that said, here's a look at the winners and losers from the team's group stage run...
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