Gaga Slonina helped the USA enter the knockout stage of the Under-20 World Cup as group winners with maximum points.
The young Chelsea goalkeeper had already played his part as the USA secured their place in the round of 16 of the U20 World Cup by winning their opening two games against Ecuador and Fiji.
America and Slovakia were both on maximum points when they met on Friday night to decide which team would go through as Group B winners, and Gaga Slonina continued to feature in every minute of her country’s campaign in Argentina.
Like their previous two matches, the USA impressed and were on top for the majority of the match, and forward Cade Cowell gave them the lead at the end of a long solo run towards the end of the first half.
However, Slonina was called into action when the USA needed him to maintain their narrow advantage into the break, reaching over with a strong arm to turn away a Mario Sauer effort that looked destined for it top corner of the web.
Another fine individual goal by substitute Niko Tsakiris in overtime at the end of the second half made the final score 2-0, meaning that for the first time the USA will finish the group stage at an U20 World Cup with a maximum of nine points.
They will play their round of 16 on Tuesday, May 30, facing one of the third-placed teams with the best record in the group stage, with Italy and Brazil currently among the potential opponents.
