ALAJUELA, Costa Rica (Aug. 9, 2025) –Following a back-and-forth 2-2 draw, the U.S. Under-15 Boys’ National Team defeated Panama 6-5 in a penalty kick shootout in the semifinals of the 2025 Concacaf Boys’ U-15 Championship on Saturday. With the result, defending champion USA will face Mexico in the final on Sunday, Aug. 10 (1 p.m. ET; Concacaf YouTube).
The U-15 BNT's participation in this tournament reflects U.S. Soccer’s ongoing commitment to its U.S. Way, which emphasizes enhanced programming for Youth National Teams. The goal is to create more opportunities for young players to progress through the development pathway and ultimately represent the senior National Team on the global stage.
Panama opened the half with a goal just 30 seconds in, scored by Jasio Jordan. The play began with a long ball from Panama’s half to Steven Moreno, who was charging down the right flank. Moreno passed to Jordan on his left, and he calmly settled the ball and finished with the outside of his right foot, giving Panama an early 1-0 lead.
The USA sparked a comeback with two goals in three minutes from Niccolo Vafiades. In the 14th minute, Chidebe found the New York City FC midfielder open on the right flank. Vafiades then sprinted at the Panamanian defense, skillfully dribbling past three defenders before launching a rocket into the top right corner to level the score at 1-1.
Three minutes later, the attacking duo combined again. Chidebe took a strike from outside the box that ricocheted off the top left post then fell to Vafiades, who was well-positioned to strike it into the near side and make it 2-1 for the USA.
Panama answered one minute before the half with a composed header from Mauro Ortega. From wide on the left, Alexander Tull delivered a ball over the top that found the head of Ortega, who powered it into the net to tie the score 2-2 going into halftime.
Despite a goal-ridden first half, neither team was able to score in the second, leaving the 2-2 match to be decided in a penalty shootout.
Both teams scored their first four penalties, with Vinny Garcia, Alexander Hernandez, Jeremiah Alexander-Munoz and Nathan Tchoumba finishing for the USA.
In the fifth round, Panama’s Uribiades Munoz blasted it wide to the left. Midfielder Robert Tudean then had the chance to end the game for the USA, but missed the frame, shooting past the left post.
The next two scorers, including the USA’s Finn McCraney, both found the back of the net to make it 5-5.
For the seventh round, goalkeeper Jason Nemo Jr, who had been subbed on in the final minutes of regulation, dived to his left to save an attempt from Panama’s Neir Marrugo. Twice denied by Panama goalkeeper Isaias Abuabara in regulation, Gbalajobi was able to calmly slot his kick home for the USA, sending the team to defend its title in the final of the 2025 Concacaf Boys’ U-15 Championship.
UP NEXT: With the result, the USA moves on to the final where they will face Mexico on Sunday, Aug. 10 at 1 p.m. ET. The game will be streamed live on Concacaf’s YouTube channel.
Match: United States Under-15 Boys’ National Team vs. Panama
Date: August 9, 2025
Competition: 2025 Concacaf Under-15 Boys’ Championship Semifinal
Venue: Ruta Nacional Secundaria 147; Alajuela, Costa Rica
Attendance: 50
Kickoff: 11 a.m. local time (1 p.m. ET)
Weather: 82 degrees, sunny
| Scoring Summary | 1 | 2 | F | PK |
| USA | 2 | 0 | 2 | 6 |
| PAN | 2 | 0 | 2 | 5 |
| PAN – Jasio Jordan | 1st minute |
| USA – Niccolo Vafiades | 14 |
| USA – Niccolo Vafiades | 17 |
| PAN – Mauro Ortega | 34 |
Shootout Summary:
PAN – Alexander Tull (goal), Alfredo Maduro (goal), Emmanuel Rodriguez (goal), Steven Moreno (goal), Uribiades Munoz (miss), Gabriel Mendoza (goal), Neil Marrugo (saved)
USA – Vicente Garcia (goal), Alexander Hernandez (goal), Jeremiah Alexander-Munoz (goal), Nathan Tchoumba (goal), Robert Turdean (miss), Finn McCraney (goal), Timoni Gbalajobi (goal)
Lineups:
USA: 12-Emmanuel Arias (1-Jason Nemo Jr, 68), 2-Jeremiah Alexander-Munoz, 3-Justus Jones (15-Finn McCraney, 52), 5-Christian Guillen Lopez, 8-Niccolo Vafiades (6-Christopher Morales, 36), 10-Vicente Garcia, 13-Kane Kraus (11-Robert Turdean, 36), 14-Luca Antongirolami (4-Owen Jorgenson, 52), 16-Nathan Tchoumba, 17-Ikenna Chidebe (7-Alexander Hernandez, 46), 18-Liam Stribling (9-Timoni Gbalajobi, 46)
Substitutes not used: none
Head coach: Ross Brady
PAN: 1-Isaias Abuabara, 5-Gabriel Mendoza, 7-Mauro Ortega (18-Uribiades Munoz, 58), 8-Alfredo Maduro, 9-Emmanuel Rodriguez, 10-Jasio Jordan, 11-Steven Moreno, 13-Anderson Ojo (3-Josue Garces, 61), 14-Joel Sanchez (6-Jose Piere, 36), 15-Alexander Tull, 16-Neir Marrugo
Substitutes not used: 12-Sebastian Sotelo, 2-Regie Rivas, 4-Jose Preciado, 17-Dilan Cinus
Head coach: Leonardo Pipino
Stats Summary: USA / PAN
Shots: 10 / 13
Shots on Goal: 5 / 8
Saves: 4 / 3
Corner Kicks: 4 / 3
Fouls: 11 / 17
Offside: 1 / 2
| Misconduct Summary |
| PAN – Steven Moreno | 19th minute |
| PAN – Anderson Ojo | 53 |
| USA – Robert Turdean | 68 |
| USA – Jason Nemo Jr | Shootout |
Officials:
Referee: Charlize Hood (TRI)
Assistant Referee 1: George Santana (DOM)
Assistant Referee 2: Guillaume Parkins (VGB)
Fourth Official: Alexi Perry (JAM)