U.S. drop first game to Ukraine at U20 World Cup

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:22 am
Ukraine beat the U.S. in the opening group stage match at the Under-20 World Cup in Poland.
Boris Streubel - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images

Denys Popov scored on a header off a corner kick in the 51st minute, and Ukraine beat the United States 2-1 Friday at Bielsko Biala, Poland, in the Americans' opener at the Under-20 World Cup.

Serhii Buletsa put Ukraine ahead in the 26th minute. Heorhii Tsitaishvili played a long pass from before the midfield stripe to Buletsa. Defender Sergino Best went up with Buletsa but didn't get his head on the ball, which bounced toward the net. Buletsa ran onto the ball and volleyed past goalkeeper Brady Scott from 10 yards.

Brandon Servania tied the score six minutes later , capping a series of swift passes.

Dest played the ball ahead to Servania, who tapped it to Konrad De La Fuente as Dest streaked toward the penalty area. De La Fuente returned the ball to Dest, who sent it wide to Tim Weah on the left flank. Weah, a son of former Liberia President and former FIFA player of the year George Weah, crossed into an unmarked Servania, who poked the ball in with his right foot from 5 yards.

"In general I'm very happy with the team. The team made a good effort, tried to win the game," U.S. coach Tab Ramos said. "Unfortunately on that set piece in the second half we lost the game, but I'm very happy with the players' effort and overall with today's performance to start the tournament."

The U.S. plays Nigeria on Monday and closes the group stage against Qatar on May 30. The Americans were eliminated in the quarterfinals in 2015 and 2017.