With a spot in 2019 FIFA Under-20 World Cup semifinals on the line, Columbus Crew SC centerback Aboubacar Keita and the rest of the U.S. U-20 squad prep to face Ecuador on Saturday, June 8, in a rematch of the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup, as both sides battled to a 3-3 draw in group stage play in South Korea.
Keita, 19, has started and played a full 90 minutes in each match of the tournament so far (4), including the team’s most recent 3-2 comeback victory over one of the tournament favorites in France in the Round of 16.
The U.S. has arguably a tougher test in Ecuador than they did with France, as Ecuador won the South American U-20 Championship by beating Argentina in the final and finishing ahead of Uruguay, Colombia, and Brazil in the process.
A victory over La Tricolor would send the U.S. into the semifinals, where they would be set to face either South Korea or Senegal. Kickoff against Ecuador is set for 11:30 a.m. ET on FS2.
