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USA U20 and Ecuador U20 will kickstart their 2023 FIFA Under-20 World Cup campaign when they square off in San Juan on Saturday (May 20).
The USA are making their 17th appearance at this level and booked their spot in the tournament courtesy of winning the 2022 CONCACAF U20 Championship. The Stars and Stripes have not been in action since a goalless draw against Serbia in a friendly in March.
Ecuador, meanwhile, are participating in their fifth tournament and are aiming to surpass their third-placed finish in 2019. Miguel Bravo's side rounded up their preparations with a 1-0 defeat against New Zealand in their final friendly. Ben Wallace's 71st-minute strike was the difference between the two sides.
Slovakia and Fiji are the two sides in Group B of the tournament, along with USA and Ecuador.
USA U20 vs Ecuador U20 Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- This will be the third straight tournament where both sides will square off, with Ecuador winning one and drawing the other.
- The two teams were paired in the quarterfinal of the 2019 Under-20 World Cup, where Ecuador claimed a 2-1 win en-route a third-placed finish.
- USA are without a win in four games this year, losing thrice.
- Four of Ecuador's last five games have produced less than three goals.
- USA have made the quarterfinal in the last three Under 20 World Cups.
USA U20 vs Ecuador U20 Prediction
The USA have not been at their best in preparation for this tournament and need to step up their performances considerably if they're to make inroads into the later stages.
Ecuador, meanwhile, had a surprise run to third place in Poland four years ago, but a repeat shock run looks unlikely. The South Americans claimed a 2-1 win over USA to book their spot in the last four in Poland, so the latter will have revege on their minds.
There's little to choose from between the two sides. Although either team could nick a win, the spoils could be shared in a low-scoring stalemate.
Prediction: USA 1-1 Ecuador
USA U20 vs Ecuador U20 Betting Tips
Tip 1 - Result: Draw
Tip 2 - Both teams to score
Tip 3 - Under 2.5 goals
Tip 4 - Both halves to produce over 0.5 goals
