The FIFA U-20 World Cup is underway in Argentina and one of Atlanta's own is there playing a significant part. Representing the Stars & Stripes of the United States is Atlanta United's Caleb Wiley. On May 10, the Homegrown defender was called up by U.S. Soccer to join the U-20 men’s national team as the country travels to South America to face some of the world's best and brightest young stars.
The U.S. proved to be a force in the tournament, coming out of the group stage the winner of Group B. The U.S. went the first four matches without conceding a goal before falling to Uruguay in the quarterfinals. Wiley was a reliable piece for head coach Mikey Varas. The Homegrown started four matches for the U.S., including the opening match of the knockout round, a 4-0 win over New Zealand.
Here's more information on how you can follow Caleb Wiley and the United States.
Quarterfinals
🇺🇸 USA 0-2 Uruguay 🇺🇾
The United States' run came to an end following a 2-0 loss to Uruguay in the quarterfinals. Uruguay opened up the scoring in the 21st minute with a goal from Anderson Duarte. Then in an attempted to clear a cross, the ball bounced into the net for a U.S. own goal in the 56th minute. Wiley earned another start for the U.S. and nearly had an assist in the first minute of the match, but the cross rolled just past the outstretched foot of midfielder Michael Halliday.
Round of 16
🇺🇸 USA 4-0 New Zealand 🇳🇿
The United States opened their run in the knockout stage on Tuesday, May 30 with a strong 4-0 win over New Zealand, one of the four best third-placed teams after finishing behind Argentina and Uzbekistan in Group A. Wiley started the match for the U.S. and played 71 minutes. Tyler Wolff's brother, Owen, was one of the goal scorers in what was the fourth clean sheet of the tournament for the U.S.
Group Stage
🇺🇸 USA 2-0 Slovakia 🇸🇰
Friday, May 26
Wiley started the match for the U.S. and was subbed off in the 77th minute as the Americans secured the top spot in the Group B with a 2-0 win over Slovakia on Friday, May 26. In total in the group stage, Wiley started two matches, played 192 minutes and helped the U.S. earn three straight clean sheets.Â
🇺🇸 USA 3-0 Fiji 🇫🇯
Tuesday, May 23
On Tuesday, May 23, Atlanta United's Caleb Wiley scored his first goal with a National Team kit after defender Brandan Craig hit a free kick from 25 yards out beyond the top right corner of the box, and it bounced off the left post where Wiley tapped it in for the match’s final goal for a 3-0 victory for the US. Wiley entered the match in the 75th minute as a substitute replacing Darren Yapi. The match was also played in San Juan.
🇺🇸 USA 1-0 Ecuador 🇪🇨
Saturday, May 20
Atlanta United's Caleb Wiley was in the starting XI for the United States in the opener against Ecuador at Estadio San Juan Bicentenario in San Juan, Argentina on Saturday, May 20. The match was scoreless heading into second half stoppage time, then Jonathan GĂłmez scored a stunner in the 93rd minute to break the deadlock. Wiley played a full 90 minutes in the 1-0 win for the U.S.
