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Mexico soccer team wins CONCACAF U-20 Championship in penalties

By Josh Sanchez

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It went to penalties, but the Mexico soccer team was able to edge Panama in the CONCACAF U-20 Championship Final on Saturday night in Jamaica. 

Despite an ugly pitch, the Mexico soccer team and Panama battled it out in the CONCACAF U-20 Championship Final on Saturday night at the Montego Bay Sports Complex in Montego Bay, Jamaica.

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All of the scoring came after the first half.

It was a hard fought, back-and-forth game that went down to the wire as we entered extra time. Mexico was trying to win the CONCACAF U-20 championship for the 13th time, while Panama was trying for their first title.

Mexico had their chances early and they were threatening deep in Panama’s territory, but El Tri was unable to capitalize on the opportunities throughout the second half of the stoppage time. Panama, meanwhile, appeared to be exhausted and continued to halt the action as players embellished falls to the turf.

After another even half of play, Mexican and Panama headed to penalties.

Both teams converted their first two attempts of the shootout. On the third attempt, Erick Aguirre put Mexico up, 3-2, and Panama fell behind thanks to a big save from José González.

After another conversion for Mexico, González came up without another huge save to earn Mexico the U-20 CONCACAF Championship, 4-2, on penalties.

Throughout the tournament, El Tri waas one of the most exciting teams.

The Mexico soccer team had pulled off a five-man bicycle celebration and gave birth to a soccer ball after scoring a goal, along with becoming the first team to reach the FIFA U-20 World Cup with their dominance early on.

Now, they will look forward to the world’s biggest competition.

The 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup will take place from May 30 through June 20 with venues in seven host cities — Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Hamilton, New Plymouth, Wellington and Whangarei.

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