SAN JOSE, Costa Rica – The United States U20s got back on track in their pursuit of a place in the second stage of the 2017 CONCACAF U20 Championship as Real Salt Lake’s Brooks Lennon scored a hat trick in a 4-1 win against Haiti at the Estadio Nacional the Costa Rica on Tuesday night. The win moved the U.S. above Haiti into second place in the Group B standings. The U.S. had a big chance inside the opening minute, only for former Charleston Battery loanee Jeremy Ebobisse to be ruled offside, but again opened the game slowly. Haiti instead got the opening goal as Kenley Dede volleyed home a finish in the 16th minute. The U.S. hit back just before the half-hour mark, however, as Jonathan Lewis was fouled in the penalty area, and Brooks Lennon converted from the spot. The U.S. then took control of the game eight minutes into the second half when Luca De La Torre tucked home a finish after Haiti goalkeeper Isaac Rouaud flapped at a corner kick, and less than a minute later Lennon added a second as he and Ebobisse combined well. Lennon completed his hat trick five minutes later as he knocked in the rebound of De La Torre’s shot, and that proved the final tally as the U.S. took a much-needed win.

Scoring:
16’ – HAI – Kenley Dede (Jonel Desire)
29’ – USA – Brooks Lennon (PK)
52’ – USA – Luca De La Torre
53’ – USA – Brooks Lennon (Jeremy Ebobisse)
58’ -  USA – Brooks Lennon

Three Things That Matter:

• 1. The United States U20s took a big step toward the second stage with their win, but there will still be questions as to whether this side can find another gear when required to book a third consecutive berth at the FIFA U20 World Cup in South Korea. The early concession was not well defended, and it took some inspiration from Jonathan Lewis – who has yet to make his professional debut after being selected by NYCFC in this January’s MLS SuperDraft – to get the side back on level terms, while others were sub-par.

• 2. One of those who wasn’t was Brooks Lennon, who came alive to record a hat trick with two goals, five minutes apart in the second half. On loan with Real Salt Lake, where he was an Academy standout, from the Premier League’s Liverpool FC, the young forward got into good positions to capitalize on the chances Luca De La Torre and Jeremy Ebobisse helped create to ensure the right result for his side.

• 3. The U.S. faces a St. Kitts & Nevis side that has been on the wrong end of four-goal deficits in each of its first two contests. The game will offer the chance for the U.S. to continue to gain momentum, and might offer the chance for the side to look at some other options in the lineup as Head Coach Tab Ramos tries to find the chemistry that will give the side the chance to earn the results it needs should it reach the second stage, which should now be a formality.

Upcoming Games:

United States – vs. St. Kitts & Nevis, Friday, February 24, 5:30 p.m. ET

Haiti – vs. Panama, Friday, February 24, 3 p.m. ET