Brooks Lennon scored a hat trick to help the United States under-20 team rally to beat Haiti 4-1 at the CONCACAF U-20 Championship on Tuesday.
After suffering an opening defeat to Panama last week, the U.S. needed a result to keep alive their hopes of qualifying for this summer's Under-20 World Cup, and coach Tab Ramos' side delivered.
The Americans' second group-stage game at the CONCACAF event in Costa Rica did not start well, with Kenley Dede turning in a Jonel Desire cross to give Haiti a surprise lead on 15 minutes.
But the U.S. equalized before the half-hour mark, Lennon converting a penalty after Jon Lewis was bundled over from behind in the corner of the box.
The U.S. took the lead early in the second half when Fulham midfielder Luca de la Torre fired home following a corner that Haiti keeper Isaac Rouaud failed to claim.
And it was 3-1 moments later when Jeremy Ebobisse held the ball up on the counter-attack long enough to pass across for Lennon to score his second.
Jonathan Lewis ⚽️ Jeremy Ebobisse ⚽️ Brooks Lennon ⚽️🥅
Two goals in as many minutes for the U-20 #USMNT! pic.twitter.com/mYXuLmKIli
- U.S. Soccer YNT (@ussoccer_ynt) February 22, 2017
Five minutes after that, Lennon -- newly acquired by Real Salt Lake on loan from Liverpool -- completed his hat trick after the rebound from De la Torre's saved shot fell right to him.
Earlier on Tuesday, Panama beat Saint Kitts and Nevis 4-0 to move to six points in Group B, three ahead of the U.S. and Haiti on three points. The Americans conclude the group against Saint Kitts and Nevis on Friday.
Mexico and Honduras have already advanced from Group A after both nations won their second games handily on Monday.