USA
Going into the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup, USA will seek to bring back past achievements in the competition.
The American supporters rely on their U-20 national team to underline the momentum football has been gaining in USA, and hope for a repeat performance of their 1989 campaign, when the Yanks finished fourth in the competition.
USA face a challenge in their group which comprises also hosts New Zealand, European representatives Ukraine, and the Asian mysterious representatives Myanmar.
United States Soccer Federation
The United States Soccer Federation was formed in 1913 and became affiliated with FIFA in 1914 and CONCACAF in 1961.
The Road to New Zealand
USA's path to this FIFA U-20 World Cup did not run as smoothly as previous journeys.
USA began their CONCACAF U-20 Championship campaign poorly with a 1-1 draw against Guatemala, followed by a 1-0 loss to Panama. However, the team got theboost that they needed, and finished as Group B runners-up with ten points, on goal difference against third placed Guatemala.
The Yanks topped the CONCACAF championship’s playoffs, with ten points, after three wins, a draw and a defeat on goal difference against Guatemala and Honduras.
In the crucial playoff match, USA beat El Selvador 2-0 and secured their ticket to New Zealand 2015.
FIFA U-20 World Cup Record
New Zealand 2015 will be USA's 14th appearance at the U-20 World Cup
The Yanks competed in 13 previous editions, in 1981, 1983, 1987, 1989, 1993, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009 and 2013.
A fourth-place finish at Saudi Arabia 1989 istheir best showing, when they reached the semi-finals and lost to Nigeria 2-1, and brazil2-0.
USA had modest performances at other the occasions, failing to progress beyond the group stage in 1981, 1983, 1987, 2009 and 2013. They also failed to progress beyond the round of 16 in 1997, 1999, 2001 and 2005.
At the remaining editions, USA were able to reach the quarter-finals in 1993, 2003 and 2007.
The Coach
Head coach Tab Ramos, aged 48, has a brilliant career as a former midfielder with several American clubs such as New Jersey, Miami Sharks and Real Betis. He competed in 298 games and scored 23 goals. He was capped 81 times with USA senior national team. Ramos also played in a U-20 World Cup in 1983. He took charge of the USA U-20 team since 2011 and at the same time, is the assistant of the USA senior national team German coach Jurgen Klinsmann.