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9-1 Stunner: The Full Lineups And Heroes Behind USA U-20's Record Win Over New Caledonia At The 2025 World Cup

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As of December 2025, the football world is still buzzing about one of the most dominant performances in recent youth tournament history: the United States U-20 Men’s National Team’s emphatic 9-1 victory over the New Caledonia U-20 side. This Group E clash, held at the Estadio El Teniente in Rancagua, Chile, was a breathtaking display of attacking prowess and a defining moment of the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup.

The match on September 29, 2025, not only secured a vital three points for the USA but also shattered a team record for the largest margin of victory in a U-20 World Cup match. The starting lineups and key substitutions tell the story of a tactical masterclass by Coach Marko Mitrović and a courageous effort by the debutant New Caledonian team, who managed to score a historic consolation goal.

The Record-Setting Lineups: USA U-20 & New Caledonia U-20 Starting XIs

The lineups for the opening Group E fixture highlighted the contrasting experience levels of the two teams. The USA U-20 squad, featuring a core of MLS talent, deployed a high-pressing, attacking formation designed to overwhelm their Oceanic opponents. New Caledonia, making their first-ever appearance at a FIFA men’s tournament, opted for a more defensive setup, hoping to absorb pressure and hit on the counter-attack.

USA U-20 Starting XI (4-3-3 Formation)

  • Goalkeeper: Adam Beaudry (Colorado Rapids)
  • Defenders: Nolan Norris (FC Dallas), Ethan Kohler (Werder Bremen), Joshua Wynder (Benfica), Francis Westfield (Orlando City SC)
  • Midfielders: Benjamin Cremaschi (Inter Miami CF), Niko Tsakiris (San Jose Earthquakes), Pedro Soma (UE Cornellà)
  • Forwards: Taha Habroune (Columbus Crew), Reed Baker-Whiting (Seattle Sounders FC), Luca Bombino (New York City FC)

New Caledonia U-20 Starting XI (5-4-1 Formation)

New Caledonia’s coach, M. Delcroix, selected a disciplined squad, focusing on defensive solidity. The available match reports confirmed a lineup that featured a mix of local AS Magenta players and promising youth talent:

  • Goalkeeper: N. Muller
  • Defenders: A. Levy, L. Nahiet, K. Teanyouen, K. Xulue, D. Ujicas
  • Midfielders: J. Hnaissilin, Y. Wajoka
  • Forwards: Antoine Simane (AS Magenta), Timotei Zeter

Benjamin Cremaschi and the Nine-Goal Barrage: Key Players and Match Summary

The match was dominated from the opening whistle by the United States. The young stars wasted no time, with the first goal coming almost immediately. The final 9-1 scoreline was a testament to the team's relentless attack and clinical finishing.

The Historic Hat-Trick Hero: Benjamin Cremaschi

The undisputed star of the show was midfielder Benjamin Cremaschi. The Inter Miami CF product delivered a sensational performance, netting a first-half hat-trick with goals in the 3rd, 5th, and 38th minutes. His early burst of goals set the tone for the entire match, leaving New Caledonia reeling. Cremaschi’s achievement was instantly historic, making him the first American to score a hat-trick at the FIFA U-20 World Cup since the legendary Freddy Adu in 2007.

The Goal-Scoring Breakdown

The nine goals were spread across six different USA players, showcasing the team's depth and attacking variety. The other key goalscorers included:

  • Nolan Norris (Brace): The FC Dallas defender, wearing the number 3, scored two goals, demonstrating his threat from set pieces and overlapping runs.
  • Niko Tsakiris: The San Jose Earthquakes midfielder added a goal in the 8th minute, maintaining the early pressure.
  • Francis Westfield: Scored in the 29th minute.
  • Taha Habroune: Found the net in the 69th minute.
  • C. Campbell: Scored the final goal in the 74th minute, assisted by Matthew Corcoran.

New Caledonia’s Moment of History

Despite the overwhelming defeat, New Caledonia celebrated a significant milestone: their first-ever goal in a FIFA men's tournament. The historic strike was scored by forward Antoine Simane, a player from local club AS Magenta, who found the back of the net in the 45th minute. This goal, which briefly made the score 6-1, was a moment of national pride and a testament to the team’s fighting spirit, providing a glimmer of hope in an otherwise difficult debut tournament.

A Deep Dive into the Rosters: Entity Profiles and Tactical Insights

The match was a stark illustration of the growing gap between the established footballing nations and emerging territories, but also a showcase for young talent from both sides. The USA’s success was built on the foundation of professional experience, while New Caledonia’s performance was rooted in raw passion and a historic first-time opportunity.

USA U-20: MLS and European Talent Pool

Coach Marko Mitrović’s tactical blueprint involved a high-octane 4-3-3 formation, maximizing the offensive capabilities of his fullbacks like Nolan Norris and the creative freedom of his central midfielders. The roster is heavily influenced by Major League Soccer (MLS), with sixteen players called up from the domestic league. Key entities driving the team’s success include:

  • Benjamin Cremaschi: A dynamic box-to-box midfielder for Inter Miami CF, his technical skill and late runs into the box were crucial for the hat-trick.
  • Joshua Wynder: A promising center-back who plays for S.L. Benfica in Portugal, providing a solid European presence in the backline.
  • Adam Beaudry & Noah Cobb: Goalkeeper and defender, respectively, from the Colorado Rapids, forming a vital part of the team's defensive structure.
  • Niko Tsakiris: A returning veteran from the 2023 U-20 World Cup roster, providing experience and midfield stability.

New Caledonia U-20: Oceanic Football’s Brave Debut

New Caledonia’s participation was a major achievement for the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC). The team, managed by M. Delcroix, entered the tournament as one of the biggest underdogs. Their objective was less about winning and more about gaining invaluable experience against world-class opposition.

  • Antoine Simane: The goalscorer, listed as a center-back or attacker for AS Magenta, demonstrated versatility and a keen eye for goal, securing his place in New Caledonian football history.
  • Timotei Zeter: Another key player who managed a shot on goal, showing flashes of offensive quality.
  • N. Muller: The goalkeeper faced a barrage of shots but showed bravery throughout the 90 minutes.

The tactical difference was evident in the possession and shot count. While New Caledonia fought valiantly for every ball, the USA's superior technical ability, speed, and professional experience allowed them to control the midfield and create constant scoring opportunities. The match served as a crucial learning curve for the New Caledonian players, exposing them to the intensity and pace of a global tournament.

The 9-1 result firmly established the USA U-20 team as a major contender in the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup, setting them up for a successful run in the knockout stages. Their dominant performance in Group E, which also included France U-20 and South Africa U-20, underlined the depth of talent emerging from the American youth system.

9-1 Stunner: The Full Lineups and Heroes Behind USA U-20's Record Win Over New Caledonia at the 2025 World Cup
usa u-20 vs new caledonia national under-20 football team lineups
usa u-20 vs new caledonia national under-20 football team lineups

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