The U Under-20's began the CONCACAF U-20 Championship with a 2-1 win over Haiti in Group A play on Monday using a lineup with a distinctive LA Galaxy flavor.
Galaxy Homegrown forward Jose Villarreal got the start and went 63 minutes while LA Academy graduate and current UCLA defender Javan Torre went 90 minutes in the back four.
The U.S. took the lead in the three minute when Haiti was whistled with a penalty after a foul on promising Santos Laguna winger Daniel Cuevas in the box. Real Salt Lake midfielder Luis Gil stepped up and put the U.S. ahead. In the 26th minute, Cuevas got on the score sheet himself with a beautiful strike off an assist from former Galaxy Academy product Mario Rodriguez. Haiti pulled one back in 49th minute off a goal from Wilberne Augusmat, but could not find the equalizer to knock off the heavily-favored Americans.
Tab Ramos' side continues their Group A campaign on Friday against Costa Rica. Haiti will take on the Central Americans on Wednesday.
Two teams from the three-team group advance to the quarterfinal round.
