X

Sebastian Lletget's Brace Helps Lead USMNT to Win over Jamaica in 2021 Friendly

Timothy Rapp@@TRappaRTFeatured ColumnistMarch 25, 2021

USA's Sergino Dest, left, duels for the ball with Jamaica's Kasey Palmer during the international friendly soccer match between USA and Jamaica at SC Wiener Neustadt stadium in Wiener Neustadt, Austria, Thursday, March 25, 2021. (AP Photo/Ronald Zak)
Ronald Zak/Associated Press

The kids are all right. 

A young and exciting United States men's national team roster took the field for a friendly against Jamaica on Thursday and didn't disappoint, pulling off a 4-1 win at Austria's Stadion Wiener Neustadt.

Barcelona wunderkind Sergino Dest and Red Bull Salzburg's Brenden Aaronson—both 20 years old—scored cracking goals for the USMNT in the win:

ESPN FC @ESPNFC

INCREDIBLE! Sergiño Dest's first goal for goal for USMNT is one to remember 💫 https://t.co/6wqmGZ8loK

ESPN FC @ESPNFC

20-year-old Brenden Aaronson gets in on the action ⭐️ https://t.co/QjgukAbiS5

Sebastian Lletget posted a late brace to erase any chances of a Jamaica comeback. 

U.S. Soccer MNT @USMNT

Nice ball from Nicholas Giaocchini, fine finish from Sebastian Lletget to make it 3-1 for the 🇺🇸! #USAvJAM https://t.co/6wby9lRhtR

U.S. Soccer MNT @USMNT

Didn't for get you Seba! Here's @SLletget's second of the night. Da Boy collects his first brace and now has four goals in his last four #USMNT matches. 🔥 https://t.co/vhsbEkZxXw

Jamal Lowe scored the lone goal for the Jamaicans. 

In total, the USMNT played 11 players who are 23 years old or younger: Dest, Aaronson, Aaron Long (23), Yunus Musah (18), Christian Pulisic (22), Josh Sargent (21), Gio Reyna (18), Nicholas Gioacchini (20), Chris Richards (20), Antonee Robinson (23) and Lucas de la Torre (22).

The future is extraordinarily bright for the USMNT. 

Jimmy Conrad @JimmyConrad

Not too long ago, it felt like if Christian Pulisic didn't play at all or play well, we weren't going to score. Now if that happens, I can name 4 or 5 guys that can step up in his place and I love that. The future of the @USMNT is so bright.

Stu Holden @stuholden

Sergino Dest’s confidence is on a million. Plays so free. Love to see it

Jeff Carlisle @JeffreyCarlisle

FT: #usmnt prevails 4-1. Definitely some positives including Dest's play at left back and Sargent's performance up top. Berhalter getting some answers to depth questions too.

Men in Blazers @MenInBlazers

Huge respect to Josh Sargent. Creative. Hungry. But selfless to pass instead of try and prove himself with a goal. That kind of collective approach is what will move US next level

Pulisic provided his usual spark and threat going forward. Musah was incredibly composed in the midfield, showing the poise and positioning of a much older player. Reyna's creative ability and impetus going forward are impressive. Dest is a difference-maker at fullback. Sargent looked very solid as the tip of the attacking spear, setting up Aaronson's goal beautifully. 

This wasn't even the United States in their final form, with players like Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie and Timothy Weah not in the squad for the team's friendly. 

Stars and Stripes FC @StarsStripesFC

The world can't handle Dest, Pulisic, Reyna, McKennie, Musah and Adams on the field together all at once. It's a paradox that will tear humankind apart.

Granted, this wasn't a full-strength Jamaican team, and it's important not to make sweeping generalizations about a team after a friendly. But while Jamaica hardly rolled over, the USMNT's young players mostly controlled this game, showing the upside and potential that has so many of the team's supporters very excited about the future. 

The next generation of USMNT stars has arrived. If they continue to develop their potential and develop chemistry together, they very well could lead the United States to new heights. Thursday was a sneak peek of what's to come.