Orlando City’s Benji Michel and Andrés Perea have both played key roles as the United States U-23s have, with a group stage match to spare, locked up a spot in the CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying semifinals.
Michel started and Perea came off the bench as the USMNT grinded out a tough 1-0 win over fellow CONCACAF power Costa Rica last Thursday. The two Lions switched roles on Sunday against the Dominican Republic, with Perea starting and Michel coming off the bench to liven up the proceedings as the U.S. scored four times in the final half hour to win 4-0.
Perea was noted for his impressive play at the base of the American midfield against the Dominican Republic, while Michel made a terrific move to set up CF Montreal winger Djordje Mihailovic for the fourth U.S. goal:
The United States still has a group stage match against Mexico coming up on Wednesday night, but the game will only serve to help determine both teams’ opponents for the qualifying semifinals, as neither Costa Rica nor the Dominican Republic can catch Mexico or the U.S. for the top two spots in Group A.
Over in Group B, Honduras and Canada have three points each after victories against Haiti and El Salvador, respectively. Canada faces Haiti and Honduras plays El Salvador on Monday evening.
The winner of Group A will face the runner-up from Group B and vice versa in the semifinals on Sunday, March 28. While there will be a tournament final played on March 30, the semifinals are the most important games, as the winners will qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic games this summer.
The United States, thanks in large part to their Lions, are 90 minutes from returning to the Olympics for the first time in over a decade.
