The U.S. Under-20 Men’s National Team announced its arrival at the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup in emphatic fashion, dismantling tournament debutants New Caledonia 9-1 in Rancagua, Chile. On a night of firsts and records, captain Benjamin Cremaschi led the charge with a dazzling first-half hat trick, etching his name alongside U.S. youth soccer greats while guiding Marko Mitrović’s side to the largest margin of victory and most goals scored in an American U-20 World Cup match.
A Lightning Start
The tone was set almost instantly. Just two minutes into the contest, Inter Miami midfielder Cremaschi pounced on a cross from Zavier Gozo to notch the USA’s opening goal. Barely 120 seconds later, the captain doubled his tally, seizing on a loose ball inside the penalty area and hammering home from close range. The floodgates were open.
By the seventh minute, the score was 3-0. Cremaschi turned provider, floating a service into the box that midfielder Niko Tsakiris converted with a firm header. For the Americans, it was less a question of if more goals would come, but when.
Record-Breaking First Half
The relentless pace of the opening minutes slowed slightly, but the U.S. never lost control. New Caledonia—making its first-ever appearance at this level—struggled to keep pace with the movement and pressing of Mitrović’s side.
In the 28th minute, Brooklyn Raines delivered an in-swinging corner that defender Frankie Westfield nodded into the far corner. Seven minutes later, fellow defender Nolan Norris made it 5-0 with a composed one-touch finish.
The historic hat trick arrived in the 37th minute. A failed clearance landed at Cremaschi’s feet, and the 19-year-old lashed a one-time effort past goalkeeper Noa Muller to complete his treble in just over half an hour. The achievement put him in rare company—joining Chris Faklaris (1993) and Freddy Adu (2007) as the only Americans to score three goals in a U-20 World Cup match, and the first to do so entirely in the first half.
Fittingly, Norris capped the half with his second goal in the 44th minute. That strike made it 7-0 at intermission and officially pushed the USA past its previous U-20 scoring record of six, achieved three different times in past tournaments.
Managing the Second Half
With the result long secured, Mitrović rotated his squad after the break. The U.S. continued to dominate possession, finishing with 29 shots to New Caledonia’s four and earning 14 corner kicks while conceding just one.
In the 68th minute, substitute Taha Habroune marked his debut with a well-taken goal, meeting a low cross from Westfield and slotting home to extend the lead to 8-0.
The only blemish came two minutes later when goalkeeper Adam Beaudry misplayed a pass directly into the path of Antoine Simane, who tucked the ball inside the left post for New Caledonia’s consolation goal. It was a rare lapse on an otherwise flawless night.
Any potential momentum shift was quickly extinguished. In the 73rd minute, substitute Matthew Corcoran combined smartly with Cole Campbell, who cut inside and fired a low left-footed shot into the corner to seal the scoreline at 9-1.
History Made
The result placed the United States firmly in the tournament spotlight. Not only did the team break its own scoring and margin-of-victory records at the U-20 World Cup, it also became just the fourth nation ever to tally nine goals in a single match at this level.
Six different American players found the net, underlining the team’s attacking depth. Cremaschi’s five total goal contributions (three goals, two assists) underscored his growing reputation as the heartbeat of this generation. Alongside Norris’ brace, the match also marked just the third time the USA has featured two multi-goal scorers in a U-20 World Cup game.
The records keep stacking: Tsakiris added his second career U-20 World Cup goal after scoring in the 2023 edition, while Westfield chipped in both a goal and an assist. Habroune and Campbell rounded out the scoring, reflecting the balance across Mitrović’s roster.
Eyes on France
As impressive as the opener was, the U.S. will face a much sterner test on Thursday, October 2, when they meet European powerhouse France in Group E play. France eked out a 2-1 win over South Africa earlier in the day, leaving both nations atop the group table. With goal differential serving as the first tiebreaker, the USA’s dominant start could prove crucial later in the tournament.
For Mitrović, the challenge will be channeling the confidence gained from the record-setting victory while maintaining focus against higher-caliber opposition. France boasts a deep and talented roster, and the Americans will need more than sheer attacking firepower to prevail.
Final Thoughts
The opening match was more than just three points—it was a statement. The USA not only overwhelmed a first-time opponent but also showcased its capacity to break through historical ceilings. For Cremaschi, already earmarked as one of the brightest prospects in the American pipeline, the hat trick will be remembered as a career-defining moment.
The journey is just beginning, but if the opener is any indication, the U.S. U-20s have arrived in Chile not simply to compete, but to contend.
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