Football
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U.S. qualifies for Under-20 World Cup with win over El Salvador

The United States qualified for the 2015 Under-20 World Cup on Saturday by beating El Salvador 2-0 in a must-win playoff at the CONCACAF U20 championships in Jamaica.

Ben Spencer, who plays for Molde in Norway, opened the scoring in the 37th minute before coming off at halftime for Tijuana's Paul Arriola, who netted the second goal in the 68th minute.

El Salvador's Andres Flores Jaco was issued a straight red card in the 79th minute and the U.S. cruised to the win.

The Americans will join Panama, Mexico and Honduras as the CONCACAF representatives at the 24-team World Cup this May and June in New Zealand. Honduras defeated Guatemala 2-1 in the other playoff on Saturday, while Mexico and Panama qualified as group winners earlier this month.

Mexico won the CONCACAF tournament by edging Panama on penalties 4-2 after Saturday night's final ended 1-1 after extra time.

The U.S. rallied to win four straight games after taking just one point from their first two matches at the tournament, drawing with Guatemala and losing to Panama.

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