As the FIFA World Cup 2025 began a long time ago, around 1 month ago, the 3 days are enough for someone to count the terrible, exciting, entertaining, and frustrating matches, with another match. This match, which is being conducted between the USA and New Caledonia, this is having a very different story.
Setting the Stage: Context & Expectations
The Tournament & Group Placement
The 2025 edition marks the 24th time the U-20 World Cup has been held, and it’s taking place across Chile from September 27 to October 19. The U.S. was drawn into Group E beside New Caledonia, France, and South Africa.
For the U.S. U-20 side, the expectations are forceful. In the past four U-20 World Cups, the U.S. has consistently reached the quarterfinals but has failed to go further. This time, many observers believe this squad has the potential to break past that barrier.
New Caledonia, by contrast, was making its tournament debut. They qualified through the Oceania path and came into their first U-20 World Cup as heavy underdogs.
So, this matchup was widely anticipated as a chance for the U.S. to assert dominance early — and also for New Caledonia to show grit, make history, and perhaps score a moment to remember.
The Match: USA 9–1 New Caledonia
Basic Facts & Timeline
- Date & Venue: September 29, 2025, at Estadio El Teniente in Rancagua, Chile
- Attendance: Roughly 2,000 spectators
- Final Score: USA 9, New Caledonia 1
- Goal Scorers:
  - Benjamin Cremaschi: 2’, 4’, 37’ (hat trick)
  - Niko Tsakiris: 7’
  - Frankie Westfield: 28’
  - Nolan Norris: 35’, 44’
  - Taha Habroune: 68’
  - Cole Campbell: 73’
  - Antoine Simane (New Caledonia): 70’
One interesting thing: the U.S. effectively sealed the game early, scoring seven goals in the first half. The onslaught continued after halftime, though the pace eased. New Caledonia managed a rare consolation goal in the 70th minute, a milestone for their U-20 program.
Records & Historical Notes
- The 9–1 outcome set a new U.S. record for most goals in a U-20 World Cup match and largest margin of victory at this level.
- Cremaschi became just the third American ever to score a hat trick at a U-20 World Cup (after Chris Faklaris in 1993 and Freddy Adu in 2007). He also became the first U.S. player to register a hat trick in the first half of such a game.
- The U.S. joined a very small set of teams to ever score nine goals in a U-20 World Cup match.
- The U.S. also had six different goal scorers, demonstrating depth of attacking options.
Lineups & Tactical Setup
The U.S. lined up in a 4-3-3 formation. Their starting XI featured:
- Goalkeeper: Adam Beaudry
- Defenders: Nolan Norris, Joshua Wynder, Ethan Kohler, Frankie Westfield
- Midfielders: Brooklyn Raines, Benjamin Cremaschi, Niko Tsakiris
- Forwards: Zavier Gozo, Marcos Zambrano-Delgado (or Campbell up front)
Substitutes like Taha Habroune and Cole Campbell came in to add fresh legs and continued attacking threat.
Meanwhile, New Caledonia deployed a 4-4-2 setup, and their path to the tournament had been difficult—this was their first U-20 World Cup appearance.
Dissecting the Performance
U.S. Dominance — Why It Worked
- Fast Start, high intensity: The Americans wasted no time striking. Cremaschi scored in the 2nd and 4th minute, setting the tone that the match would be one-sided.
- Varied attacking threats: The goals weren’t funneled through just one channel. Cremaschi, Tsakiris, Westfield, Norris, Habroune, Campbell — all got in on the act. That variety makes it harder for any defense to settle.
- Midfield control & transitions: With Cremaschi, Raines, and Tsakiris controlling the center, the U.S. could turn defense into attack quickly.
- Wide play & overlapping fullbacks: The flanks were used effectively, creating overloads and stretching space in New Caledonia’s backline (this is inferred from attacking versatility and the spread of scorers).
- Defensive solidity: Outside their one conceded goal, the U.S. defense maintained shape and rarely allowed clear chances. Their backline was compact and organized.
New Caledonia: Brave but Overwhelmed
New Caledonia entered as underdogs and lacked the experience at this level. Some observations:
- They conceded early and often, which forced them out of shape and made them vulnerable to counterattacks.
- The magnitude of U.S. attacks overwhelmed their midfield, leaving gaps between defense and attack.
- Their one goal (Antoine Simane in the 70th minute) came from capitalizing on a goalkeeper’s error, which underscores how rare their attacking moments were.
- But that goal should not be dismissed — for a debutant nation, scoring in a U-20 World Cup is a landmark moment and likely a morale boost.
Turning Points & Tactical Inflection
- After the first half, the result was largely settled with a 7–0 lead. That allowed the U.S. to shift into more controlled rhythms.
- The replacement of some starters (fresh legs) helped the U.S. sustain attack without burning out.
- New Caledonia’s morale visibly dipped after repeated concessions, making their task harder as the game progressed.
- The U.S. used their depth to keep pressure up; the substitutions did not dilute attacking firepower.
Player Spotlights
Benjamin Cremaschi
Without question the star of the show. His hat trick, including two early goals and one in the first half, helped steamroll New Caledonia’s resistance. He also contributed with assists. With this performance, he joined the elite list of American U-20 players to score a hat trick.
Nolan Norris
His brace (35’ and 44’) added to the pressure and demonstrated the U.S.’ ability to get scoring from defenders. That’s a huge tactical asset.
Niko Tsakiris
Scored in the 7th minute, leveraging a clever move created by Cremaschi. His presence in midfield and attacking link-up work proved crucial.
Frankie Westfield, Taha Habroune, Cole Campbell
All contributed goals, showing the depth and balanced attack of the U.S. side. Westfield scored from a corner, Habroune as a substitute, and Campbell late in the game.
Antoine Simane
For New Caledonia, Simane’s goal may go down in history as their first-ever in U-20 World Cup competition. A small consolation, but a bright moment in a harsh defeat.
Implications & What Comes Next
For the U.S.
- The goal difference shielded by this win is significant. In group stages, goal differential is often a key tiebreaker — this gives the U.S. strong grip.
- The historic nature of this result boosts confidence — showing not just that the U.S. can win, but do so emphatically.
- However, future opponents (France, South Africa) will not be intimidated forever. The U.S. must maintain focus, tactical flexibility, and consistency.
- One concern: could overconfidence creep in? The coaching staff must manage momentum and ensure the team doesn’t let its guard down.
For New Caledonia
- Though humbling, this match offers lessons for what the global stage demands: physicality, speed, tactical discipline.
- Getting that first goal is a positive milestone — and might motivate youth development in the country.
- Future participation in U-20 tournaments will give them exposure, experience, and a benchmark to build on.
Tournament Narrative & Broader Takeaways
- This match underlines that in youth tournaments, disparity between established nations and debutants can be stark — especially in early matchups.
- But such contests can be humbling learning experiences for emerging nations.
- For the U.S., this result reinforces their status as a youth powerhouse within CONCACAF, but it also raises expectations for deeper runs.
- The balance of power in Group E will be shaped by how teams like France and South Africa respond to this result and how the U.S. sustains its form.