The United States Under-20s seemed to be on their way to an opening game defeat at the ongoing FIFA Under 20 World Cup, but De La Torre turned things around for the US. The attacking midfielder raced onto a failed defensive clearance and clinically fired home the equalizer in the stoppage time to help The United States earn a 3-3 stalemate against a resilient Ecuador side on Monday morning.
The stoppage time equalizer capped a “dramatic” back and forth affair that apparently saw Ecuador jump out to a 2-0 advantage in the early minutes before the young Stars And Stripes rallied back behind a brace from forward Josh Sargent.
The US started slowly in the early minutes
In the initial minutes of the match, the young Stars and Stripes looked prepared to be blown away, after some defensive lapses apparently allowed Ecuador's swift wingers to exploit open spaces and eventually netted two quick goals in the span of eight minutes.
Afterward, the US cut Ecuador's one goal lead when Luca De La Torre delivered an accurate through ball to Josh Sargent, who clinically fired home from close-range. Later in the fifty-fourth, the United States wonder kid then netted his second and tied up the scoreline 2-2, when he brilliantly converted a Lennon's pull-out into a goal.
It appeared like things would decline for the United States after central midfielder Gedion Zelalem sustained a knee injury that eventually forced him out in the thirty-fourth minute.
Fortunately, Gedion Zelalem's departure appeared to be a turnaround for the United States because it meant the introduction of Philadelphia Union star Derrick Jones, provided some much-needed bite deep inside the US midfield.
Ecuador converted Klinsmann's stumble
The United States seemed comfortable with the game tied up at 2-2.
But unfortunately, US goalie Jonathan Klinsmann clumsily turned the ball over to his own post to “gift” Ecuador a 3-2 advantage. That seemed like the play would have drowned the young Star and Stripes.
But the US persistently piled on pressures for an equalizer, and later in the final minutes before the stoppage time of the game, playmaker Brooks Lennon floated in the ball inside the penalty box.
The Ecuador defense attempted to clear off the ball, but instead, they apparently sent the ball right onto the foot of Luca De La Torre, who wasted no time to strike an accurate shot into the net to settle for a 3-3 draw.
What's next for the US?
The US Under-20 Men National Team will now face African runners-up Senegal on Thursday, May 25, while Ecuador locks horns with Saudi Arabia.